Enzymatic Acrylation of 2-Hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone to Synthesize the Gamma Butyrolactone Methacrylate (GBLMA) for Photoresist

Lipase-mediated acrylation has gained much attention instead of traditional chemical process, since it enables specific catalysis under benign conditions. The effect of acyl donors on the acrylation of 2-hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone by Novozym 435 (immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica) was investigated. Among acyl donors, vinyl methacrylate was selected to synthesize gamma-butyrolactone methacrylate (GBLMA). The effects of solvent and reaction temperature on the acrylation using vinyl methacrylate were presented. The highest rate of conversion was obtained using methyl tert-butyl ether (>80%) as a solvent, of which a log P value is greater than other solvents tested. The conversion rate increased as the reaction temperature rose from 30 to 60 degrees C and the conversion rate approached 95% at 60 degrees C. The gamma butyrolactone methacrylate (GBLMA) synthesized with vinyl methacrylate at optimized conditions, in which MTBE is used as a solvent and the reaction is carried out at 60 degrees C can be applicable as a monomer for synthesis of photoresist resinope