Towards sustainable kinetic resolution, a combination of bio-catalysis, flow chemistry and bio-based solvents

The esterification of 2-phenylpropionic acid was investigated as a model system for enzyme catalysed (CALB, Novozyme 435) reactions in bio-based solvents. A multi-parameter correlation taking into account solvent parameters was developed to explain experimental observations. A continuous flow process using p-cymene as the solvent was operated over several weeks, thus combining a sustainable solvent and flow chemistry for kinetic resolution.