Microwave-assisted kinetic resolution of homochiral diols using lipase

Since last decade, biocatalysts have become an attractive alternative to conventional chemical methods, especially for organic synthesis, due to their great properties. Among these enzymes, lipases are the most widely used, because they are cheap, easily available, cofactor free and have broad substrate specificity. Combined to microwave irradiation in non-aqueous medium, the published results suggest that microwave irradiation can have an influence on enzyme stability and activity, in addition to altering/enhancing reaction rates and/or enantioselectivities, called nonthermal microwave effects. However, the role of the microwave irradiation on enzyme still reminds controversial. This presentation will deal with the benefits of the use of lipases and the microwave irradiation. To have a better understanding of the system, different parameters were studied and analyzed, such as the impact of the microwave power, the temperature, the role of the solvent, etc. The optimization of the reaction parameters will lead to the obtainment of useful chiral homochiral diols in clean, efficient and safe way.