Biocatalysis in RTILs

Significant research efforts have been directed towards the performance of biocatalytic reactions in RTIL media and this field has recently been reviewed. A wide range of reactions have been studied (Table 6.6), but it should be noted that most of the enzymes that have worked particularly well in RTILs are lipases. 

A recent biocatalytic transformation has shown that just a small amount of ionic liquid may be sufficient to give some of the benefits, e.g. increased 

Lipase Transesterification and direct esterification (inch polyester synthesis) Ring-opening polymerization of 8-caprolactone Hydrolysis alcoholysis acetylation Higher stability of enzyme greater activity catalyst recyclable sometimes higher enantio- and regio-selectivity compared with VOCs 

Esterase Transesterification Higher stability of enzyme activity and enantioselec-tivity similar to VOCs 

Protease Transesterification Hydrolysis (inch stereospecific) Higher stability of enzyme rates comparable to buffer solutions and VOCs enhanced enantioselectivity 

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