Propylene Carbonate as a Green Solvent for Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols Catalyzed by Candida antarctica Lipase

The kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase was studied using vinyl acetate as acyl donor in propylene carbonate. The effects of the reaction conditions included solvent, temperature, acyl donor and organic base. In the reactions, the enantioselectivity of Candida antarctica lipase increased with increasing the reaction time and the addition of triethylamine. Furthermore, it was shown that the addition of non-reactive base triethylamine to the reaction mixture enhanced the rate of the reaction. Propylene carbonate offers an environmentally friendly alternative in contrast to conventional solvents.