Lipase catalyzed synthesis of cinnamyl acetate via transesterification in non-aqueous medium

Cinnamyl acetate is used as flavor and fragrance ingredient in food and cosmetic industries. This work focuses on the synthesis of cinnamyl acetate via lipase catalyzed transesterification of cinnamyl alcohol with vinyl acetate in non-aqueous medium. Among the different immobilized lipases employed, Novozym 435 was found to be the best catalyst in toluene as solvent. The effects of various parameters were studied systematically. With a mole ratio of 1:2 of cinnamyl alcohol to vinyl acetate and 10 mg catalyst, 96% conversion was obtained in 1 h at 40 °C. The ternary complex mechanism with inhibition by cinnamyl alcohol was found to fit the data well. The kinetics of the reaction was studied by using non-linear regression analysis. Enzymatic synthesis of cinnamyl acetate is an efficient process vis-à-vis chemical catalysis.