Lipase catalyzed esterification of cresols.

Esters of m- and p-cresols with organic acids having carbon chain lengths C2-C18 have been prepared by using lipases from porcine pancreas and Rhizomucor miehei. Gram level conversions are carried out under non-solvent conditions in case of shake flask experiments and continuous removal of water at bench-scale levels. Addition of 0.1 mL of 0.1M phosphate buffer at pH 7.0 to the reaction mixture shows better conversions. Optimization studies have been carried out for p-cresyl laurate synthesis using Rhizomucor miehei lipase which show a maximum conversion of 74.4%. Better conversions are obtained with larger amounts of enzyme. Porcine pancrease lipase catalyzed synthesis of m- and p-cresyl esters show that under identical reaction conditions acids with lower carbon chain lengths (C2-C4) give ester yields above 30%, while those with longer carbon chain lengths give ester yields < 30%.