Mono-thioesters and di-thioesters by lipase-catalyzed reactions of alpha,omega-alkanedithiols with palmitic acid or its methyl ester.

1- S-Mono-palmitoyl-hexanedithiol and 1- S-mono-palmitoyl-octanedithiol were prepared in high yield (80-90%) by solvent-free lipase-catalyzed thioesterification of palmitic acid with the corresponding alpha,omega-alkanedithiols in vacuo. Similarly, 1,6-di- S-palmitoyl-hexanedithiol and 1,8-di- S-palmitoyl-octanedithiol were prepared in moderate yield (50-60%) by solvent-free lipase-catalyzed thioesterification of palmitic acid with 1- S-Mono-palmitoyl-hexanedithiol and 1- S-mono-palmitoyl-octanedithiol, respectively. An immobilized lipase preparation from Rhizomucor miehei (Lipozyme RM IM) was more effective than a lipase B preparation from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435) or a lipase preparation from Thermomyces lanuginosus (Lipozyme TL IM). Lipase-catalyzed transthioesterifications of methyl palmitate with alpha,omega-alkanedithiols using the same enzymes were less effective than thioesterification for the preparation of the corresponding 1- S-mono-palmitoyl thioesters.