Enantioselective esterification of 2-arylpropionic acids and trans-2-phenyl-1-cyclohexanol: Comparison between immobilised lipases from Candida rugosa and Rhizomucor miehei

2-Phenyl propionic acid, ibuprofen and trans-2-phenyl-1-cyclohexanol were r esolved using commercial Rhizomucor miehei lipase (Lipozyme IM20) and Candi da rugosa lipase produced in our laboratory immobilised on EP100 polypropyl ene powder. Important differences were found on the enantioselectivity of b oth lipases in esterification reactions. Candida rugosa lipase was more ena ntioselective in the resolution of the tested substrates, especially with t rans-2-phenyl-1-cyclohexanol, whereas the lipase from Rhizomucor miehei did not show catalytic activity with this substrate.