Efficient lipase-selective synthesis of dilauryl mannoses by simultaneous reaction–extraction system

An efficient method for enzymatic-selective synthesis of dilauryl mannoses was developed using lipase-catalyzed condensation of d-mannose and lauric acid in a simultaneous reaction–extraction system. The highest equilibrium conversion of diesters of 51% (1,6-diester: 14%; 3,6-diester: 18%; 4,6-diester: 19%) and the total conversion of mono and dilauryl mannoses of 76% were achieved at the n-hexane/acetonitrile ratio of 1:1, the molar ratio of lauric acid to mannose of 4:1, 60 g/l molecular sieves and 5 g/l lipase at 50°C for 72 h in 15 ml SRE system. The new system will be important for the synthesis of dilauryl mannoses.