Pseudomonas cepacia lipase-catalysed resolution of racemic alcohols in ionic liquid using succinic anhydride: role of triethylamine in enhancement of catalytic activity

Racemic secondary alcohols were resolved via enantioselective acylation using succinic anhydride as acyl donor catalysed by lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia supported on celite (PS-C) in ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [bmim]PF6. Organic base, namely triethylamine as an additive in ionic liquid has been found to enhance the rate of the reaction.