Straightforward Enzyme-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Caffeic Acid Esters in Enantioenriched Form

Lipophilic alkyl caffeate synthesis using a novel green binuclear ionic liquid 1,1-bis(2-pyrrolidinone) sulfate ([C3(Hnhp)2][HSO4]2) catalyst

Caffeic acid (CA), as a potential green antioxidant, plays an important role in food processing. However, the low liposolubility of CA limits its applications. To overcome this issue, CA is normally modified by introducing a lipophilic group, such as alkyl alcohols, resulting in the formation of alkyl caffeate, which can significantly enhance the liposolubility of CA. In this study, a binuclear ionic liquid, 1,1-bis(2-pyrrolidinone) sulfate ([C3(Hnhp)2][HSO4]2), is successfully synthesized and characterized by FT-IR and 1H NMR. The physico-chemical properties of [C3(Hnhp)2][HSO4]2, including the density, viscosity, thermal stability and Brønsted acidity, were analyzed. As a novel catalyst for the esterification of CA with model dodecanol, its catalytic performance was investigated and optimized by response surface methodology. Under the optimal conditions, a 95.42 ± 1.01% yield of dodecanol caffeate was achieved. Moreover, the [C3(Hnhp)2][HSO4]2 exhibits excellent stability and reusability, making it a highly promising catalyst for the synthesis of various lipophilic alkyl caffeates.

Lipophilic antioxidant dodecyl caffeate preparation by the esterification of caffeic acid with dodecanol using ionic liquid [Hnmp]HSO4 as a catalyst

Caffeic acid (CA) is widely found in nature, and has a broad spectrum of biological activities. However, the low hydrophilicity and lipophilicity of CA limited its application. Dodecyl caffeate (DC) is the lipophilic ester of caffeic acid (CA), and also has high antioxidant activity. In this work, CA, used as a substrate, and three ionic liquids with different acidities and H₂SO₄ were used as economic catalysts for DC preparation. The effects of variables on DC yield were investigated and optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). And the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the esterification of CA and dodecanol were evaluated. Results showed that lipophilic DC was successfully synthesized using ionic liquid ([Hnmp]HSO₄) as a catalyst. And the optimal conditions by RSM were substrate ratio of 10.2 : 1, IL dosage of 9.8% at 87 °C for 118 min. Under the optional conditions, the maximum DC yield was 94.67 ± 1.32%. The k₀, E_a, ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG were 7.18 × 10⁷ mol (L min)⁻¹, 65.77 kJ mol⁻¹, 63.10 kJ (mol K)⁻¹, −103.80 J (mol K)⁻¹, and 99.78 kJ mol⁻¹ at 363 K, respectively. DC prepared in this work showed a good DPPH radical scavenging activity, which indicated that DC can be used as a potential antioxidant in food and cosmetics.

Lipophilic antioxidant dodecyl caffeate preparation by the esterification of caffeic acid with dodecanol using ionic liquid [Hnmp]HSO₄ as a novel catalyst.

Synthesis of Lipophilic Caffeoyl Alkyl Ester Using a Novel Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent

In this work, a novel method for lipophilic caffeoyl alkyl ester production was developed using a natural deep eutectic solvent (DES) consisting of choline chloride and caffeic acid (CA) as the caffeoyl donor. Cation-exchange resins were used as the catalyst to catalyze the esterification of fatty alcohols with the DES. Effects of the caffeoyl donor and reaction variables were investigated. Reaction thermodynamics were also analyzed. The results showed that the lipophilic caffeoyl alkyl ester production can be enhanced using the DES as the caffeoyl donor, and cation-exchange resin A-35 showed the best catalytic activity for the reaction. Under the optimized conditions (85 °C, stearyl alcohol/CA 8:1 (mol/mol), A-35 load 5% and 24 h), the maximum octodecyl caffeate (OC) yield (90.69 ± 2.71%) and CA conversion (95.17 ± 2.76%) were obtained with the DES as the caffeoyl donor, which were much higher than those obtained with solid CA as the caffeoyl donor (OC yield 40.97 ± 2.37% and CA conversion 44.26 ± 1.69%). The activation energy of CA conversion (67.57 kJ/mol) with the DES was lower than that with solid CA (90.19 kJ/mol). In addition, the mass transfer limitation can be decreased with the DES. Compared with solid CA as the caffeoyl donor, a fast reaction rate and low mass transfer limitation were obtained using the DES as the caffeoyl donor.

Green polymer chemistry: enzyme catalysis for polymer functionalization

Enzyme catalyzed reactions are green alternative approaches to functionalize polymers compared to conventional methods. This technique is especially advantageous due to the high selectivity, high efficiency, milder reaction conditions, and recyclability of enzymes. Selected reactions can be conducted under solventless conditions without the application of metal catalysts. Hence this process is becoming more recognized in the arena of biomedical applications, as the toxicity created by solvents and metal catalyst residues can be completely avoided. In this review we will discuss fundamental aspects of chemical reactions biocatalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase B, and their application to create new functionalized polymers, including the regio- and chemoselectivity of the reactions.