The application of several immobilized lipases has been explored in the enantioselective esterification of (R,S)-2-methylbutyric acid, an insect pheromone precursor. With the use of Candida antarctica B, using hexane as solvent, (R)-pentyl 2-methylbutyrate was prepared in 2 h with c 40%, ee p 90%, and E = 35, while Thermomyces lanuginosus leads to c 18%, ee p 91%, and E = 26.The (S)-enantiomer was obtained by the use of Candida rugosa or Rhizopus oryzae (2-h reaction, c 34% and 35%, ee p 75 and 49%, and E = 10 and 4, respectively). Under optimal conditions, the effect of the solvent, the molar ratio, and the nucleophile were evaluated.
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