Enzymatic Reactions using Ionic Liquids for Green Sustainable Chemical Process; Stabilization and Activation of Lipases

The enzymatic reaction is highly respected from an environmentally-friendly point-of-view. Optimization of the reaction media and supporting materials of enzymes must be investigated in parallel with the effort to develop new enzymes. Lipases are frequently used for organic syntheses as synthetic tools even industry because of their acceptance of having a broad range of substrates, stability, and availability. We have investigated the possibility of ILs as both a solvent and activating or stabilization agent of enzymes, in particular, lipase as a model enzyme. ILs allowed recyclable use of a lipase and significant acceleration of transesterification, and also enhanced the stability and reaction activity of a lipase by immobilization through a lyophilization process. We discuss how we enhanced the enzyme capability using the IL engineering focusing on lipase-catalyzed reactions, i. e., realization of the recyclable use of an enzyme, how ILs mediated the enhanced reaction rate, and improved the stability of the enzyme.

Enzymatic Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols Using an Ionic Anhydride Generated In Situ

We developed a method for the resolution of secondary alcohols using an ionic anhydride acylating agent prepared directly in the reaction medium containing the biocatalyst Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB). NMR studies showed that mixing all components at the same time does not interfere with the coupling reaction or the enzymatic activity. After optimization of the reaction conditions, the method allowed the resolution of a number of substrates in very high conversions (46-48 %) and enantiomeric ratios (E>170) along with an easy recovery of both enantiomers without the need for preparative chromatographic separation. Additionally, both the starting ionic acid and the biocatalyst could be recovered and reused up to nine cycles without significant loss of enantioselectivity.

"Nonsolvent" applications of ionic liquids in biotransformations and organocatalysis

The application of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) as (co)solvents and/or reagents is well documented. However, RTILS also have "nonsolvent" applications in biotransformations and organocatalysis. Examples are the anchoring of substrates to RTILs; ionic-liquid-coated enzymes (ILCE) and enzyme-IL colyophilization; the construction of biocatalytic ternary reaction systems; the combination of enzymes, RTILs, membranes, and (bio)electrochemistry; and ionic-liquid-supported organocatalysts. These strategies provide more robust, more efficient, and more enantioselective bio- and organocatalysts with many practical applications. As shown herein, RTILs offer a wide range of promising alternatives to conventional chemistry.