Room Temperature Solid-Phase Ionic Liquid-Immobilized Enzyme for Biocatalysis in Organic Solvent: Markedly Enhanced Enantioselectivity†

Nonaqueous biocatalysis provides a useful component of methodology in organic synthesis.1 For example, lipase catal-ysis in organic solvents is of great use for the synthesis of optically active compounds such as chiral alcohols, acids, and their esters.2 However, biocatalysis in nonaqueous media often suffers from reduced activity, selectivity or stability of enzymes.3 To overcome these limitations, many approaches have focused on the development of more efficient enzymes. Among them, the use of ionic liquids as an alternative solvent for the biotransformations in nonaqueous solvents enhanced the activity, selectivity, and stability of enzymes.4-10 And novel approach with ionic liquid-coated enzyme (ILCE), which was readily prepared by mixing the enzyme powder with a room temperature solid phase ionic liquid (RTSPIL) at elevated temperature, was previously reported showing enhance