Kinetic resolution of (+/-)-1-phenylethanol in [Bmim][PF6] using high activity preparations of lipases.

Lipases from two different sources Candida rugosa (CRL) and Burkholderia cepacia (BCL) were formulated as enzyme precipitated and rinsed with organic solvents, organic solvent rinsed enzyme preparation, cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) and protein coated micro-crystals (PCMCs). These various enzyme formulates were evaluated for the kinetic resolution of (+/-)-1-phenylethanol in ionic liquid [Bmim][PF(6)] by transesterification with vinyl acetate. Of all the enzyme forms evaluated EPRP and PCMC in the case of CRL showed the best results with 26 % (E value=153) and 53% (E value=79) conversion, respectively, at 35 degrees C in 24h. Carrying out this conversion with PCMC at lower temperature of 25 degrees C further improved the E value to 453 (with 44% conversion in 12h). For BCL the acetone-rinsed enzyme preparation (AREP), CLEA and PCMC performed equally well with % conversion of 50 and 99 ee(p) (%) (E value >1000) in just 2h, whereas, the free lipase gave only 8% conversion.