Lactone synthesis from 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid ethyl ester in organic solvents catalyzed with polyethylene glycol-modified lipase

Abstract

Lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia was coupled with 2,4-bis[O-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)]-6-chloro-s-triazine (activated PEG2) to form PEG-modified lipase. The PEG-lipase becomes soluble and active in organic solvents. 16-Hexadecanolide was synthesized with PEG-lipase from 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid ethyl ester via intramolecular ester exchange reaction. The lactone was effectively obtained in high concentrations of the substrate; the yield was 92% at 1 mM, 48% at 10 mM and 11% at 100 mM substrate. © 1993.