Reaction equilibrium for lipase-catalyzed condensation in organic solvent systems.

Lipase-catalyzed condensation in an organic solvent is useful for the syntheses of esters. To reasonably design and optimize the reaction conditions, knowledge of the reaction equilibrium is required. The interaction of water with other reactants and the quantitative predictions for adsorption of water by a desiccant are discussed. The solvent effects on the reaction equilibrium are also elucidated in mixtures of nitrile and tert-alcohol.