Kinetic resolution of a precursor for myo-inositol phosphates under continuous flow conditions

In this work, we have investigated the biocatalytic continuous flow process with a packed-bed reactor for the kinetic resolution of (±)-1,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-myo-inositol ((±)-1) by alcoholysis using Novozym 435. Excellent conversions and stereselectivities were attained in short reaction time. We found that this enzymatic transformation under continuous flow in TBME with vinyl acetate (10:1 ratio with (±)-1) at 50 °C, with a 3 min-residence time secured the best results (50% conversion and eep > 99%). The feasibility of a continuous operation of the Novozym 435-containing-packed-bed reactor over a longer period of time was demonstrated via a 9-cycle experiment wherein the lipase remained stable.