ENANTIOSELECTIVE ESTERIFICATION OF IBUPROFEN IN SUPERCRITICAL CARBON-DIOXIDE BY IMMOBILIZED LIPASE

The enantioselective esterification of racemic Ibuprofen with n-propan ol by immobilized Mucor miehel lipase In supercritical carbon dioxide was studied. The enantiomeric excess of the product (sep) was 70 % at 15...20 % conversion. The enantioselectivity was faintly affected by t emperature and the concentration of ibuprofen and lipase. The optimum temperature was 45 degrees C. The initial reaction rate increased with pressure, but enantioselectivity was not affected by pressure changes . The reaction rates In supercritical carbon dioxide at optimized cond itions and in n-hexane were similar.