Cc. Akoh et Ln. Yee, LIPASE-CATALYZED TRANSESTERIFICATION OF PRIMARY TERPENE ALCOHOLS WITHVINYL ESTERS IN ORGANIC MEDIA, Journal of molecular catalysis. B, Enzymatic, 4(3), 1998, pp. 149-153
Several microbial lipases were screened for their ability to catalyze
the synthesis of citronellyl and geranyl esters in organic media using
vinyl esters as acylating agents. Based on the results, an immobilize
d lipase, SP 435 from Candida antarctica was chosen for the study of t
he effect of reaction parameters on terpenyl acetate synthesis. This e
nzyme at 10% (w/w reactants) gave yields of 97.7 and 98.6% for geranyl
and citronellyl acetate, respectively. Time course studies showed opt
imum yields could be obtained after 8 and 16 h incubation, respectivel
y. For both terpenyl acetates, solvents with log P > 3.2 gave highest
yields and a temperature range between 30-50 degrees C seemed suitable
for the synthesis of these primary terpenyl acetates. With some solve
nts, up to 100% yield of geranyl acetate was obtained. In these solven
ts, SP 435 showed preference for geraniol. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B
.V.