Thermodynamics of the Lipase-Catalyzed Esterification of 1-Dodecanoic Acid With (-)-Menthol in Organic Solvents

Published

April 1, 1999

Author(s)

Yadu D. Tewari, Michele M. Schantz, David J. Vanderah

Abstract

The thermodynamics of the lipase catalyzed stereospecific esterification of 1-dodecanoic acid with (-)-menthol in seven organic solvents have been investigated. Equilibrium measurements were performed using hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, toluene, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, acetonitrile, and 2-methyl-2-butanol at the temperature T=298.15K. The equilibrium constants have been correlated with the (octanol + water) partition coefficients and the relative permittivities of the solvents. The saturation molalities and the (hexane + water) partition coefficients of (-)-menthol, 1-dodecanoic acid, and (-)-menthyl dodecanoate have also been determined at T=298.15 K. The equilibrium constant of the exterification reaction in aqueous media has been calculated. An important finding is that the molality of water plays an important role in determining the extent of ester formation. In acetoronitrile and 2-methyl-2-butanol, which have a very high molality of water, the formation of (-)-menthyl dodecanoate is considerably smaller. However, in hydrophobic solvents with lower molalities of water, the formation of (-)-menthyl dodecanoate is favored in the reaction mixture. The value of the equilibrium constant varies from 3 to 26. However, the molality of (-)-menthyl dodecanoate changes from 0.034 mmol kg^-1 in acetonitrile to 16 mmol kg^-1 in heptane. The change in product yield is a factor of {approximately} 500 and is a striking example of the utility of organic solvents in biocatalysis.

Citation

Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data

Volume

44

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

(-)-menthol, (-)-menthyl dodecanoate, 1-dodecanoic acid, equilibrium constants, lipase, organic solvents, partition coeffecients, thermodynamics

Citation

Tewari, Y. , Schantz, M. and Ross, D. (1999), Thermodynamics of the Lipase-Catalyzed Esterification of 1-Dodecanoic Acid With (-)-Menthol in Organic Solvents, Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data (Accessed May 13, 2026)

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