Lipase‐catalyzed hydrolysis of (+,‐)‐2‐(4‐methylphenyl) propionic methyl ester enhanced by hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUNDEnzymatic kinetic resolution is an attractive technology for production of enantiomerically pure compounds. The objective of this research is to investigate the enantioselective hydrolysis of (+,‐)‐2‐(4‐methylphenyl) propionic methyl ester (2‐(4‐MP)PPAME) to (+)‐2‐(4‐methylphenyl) propionic acid ((+)‐2‐(4‐MP)PPA) catalyzed by enzyme in an aqueous medium.RESULTSLipase AY from candida rugosa (CRL) was screened as the best lipase. Novozym 435 IM and lipopan S BG show higher catalytic activity but the enantioselectivity is very low. By addition of hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD) to the aqueous system, an increased substrate conversion of 45.28% was obtained, the high enantiomeric excess remaining compared with the conversion of 28.05% without HP‐β‐CD. Response surface methodology and central composite design were employed to model and optimize the reaction system.CONCLUSIONUnder the optimal conditions including pH of 6.60, 12.5 mg mL−1 enzyme, 35 mmol L−1 HP‐β‐CD, 0.06 mmol substrate, temperature 39°C, agitation speed 400 rpm and 40 h reaction time, the substrate conversion was up to 40.32% and the optical purity of the product (+)‐2‐(4‐methylphenyl) propionic acid was up to 95.22%. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry