Preparation of optical active amyl alcohol by triacetin as substrate

Kinetic resolution of(R,S)-2-methyl-1-butanol was completed by porcine pancreatic lipase-catalyzed transesterification with triacetin in a solvent-free system.The effect of reaction conditions such as solvents,water,pH,temperature,and the molar ratio of the substrates on lipase activity and stereoselectivity were examined.The results demonstrate triacetin has an advantage of low price and high activity when it is employed as the substrate in the kinetic resolution of(R,S)-2-mentyl-1-butanol and is a very promising tributyrin substitute for industrial application.