Microemulsion‐Based Gels for Lipase‐Catalyzed Ester Synthesis in Organic Solvents

Abstract

AbstractMicroemulsions are clear, stable, isotropic mixtures of oil, water, and surfactant, frequently in combination with a cosurfactant. These systems are currently of interest to the pharmaceutical scientist because of their considerable potential to act as drug delivery vehicles by incorporating a wide range of drug molecules. The purpose of this work is to solubilize in AOT [sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl)sulphosuccinate] water‐in‐oil microemulsions at two different R‐values the Chromobacterium viscosum (CV) lipase and lipoprotein lipase ex Pseudomonas and to use them to catalyze the lactonization of 16‐hydroxyhexadecanoic acid at 40°C. CV lipase is also immobilized in gelatin‐containing microemulsion‐based gels (MBGs) with retention of catalytic activity. These lipase‐containing MBGs proved to be novel solid‐phase catalysts for use in apolar organic solvents. CV lipase‐containing MBGs are used to synthesize, on a preparative scale, a variety of different esters under mild conditions.