A rational design of phosphonium salt type ionic liquids for ionic liquid coated-lipase catalyzed reaction

A rational design of phosphonium ionic liquid for ionic liquid coated-lipase (IL1-PS)-catalyzed reaction has been investigated, and very rapid transesterification of secondary alcohols accomplished when IL1-PS was used as catalyst in 2-methoxyethoxymethyl(tri-n-butyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) amide ([P-444MEM][NTf2]) as solvent while perfect enantioselectivity was maintaining. Increased K-cat value was suggested to be the most important factor in IL1-PS working the best in [P-444MEM][NTf2] solvent.