LIPASE-CATALYZED ESTERIFICATION OF HYDROPHILIC DIOLS IN ORGANIC-SOLVENTS

The direct, lipase-catalyzed esterification of hydrophilic diols in organic solvents was achieved hy first adsorbing the hydrophilic, solvent immiscible substrate onto a solid support with high internal surface, namely silica gel and reacting the solid mixture with fatty acid vinyl esters in an appropriate organic solvent and in presence of an immobilized lipase from Mucor miehei (Lipozyme). Quantitative conversions of the acyl donors and very high reaction rates were observed in these transformations. Furthermore, mono- or diesters of these diols could be selectively produced by this method.