Lipase-catalysed selective deacetylation of phenolic/enolic acetoxy groups in peracetylated benzyl phenyl ketones Original Research Article

Highly chemo- and regioselective de-esterification has been observed in the deacetylation of peracetylated enolic forms of polyphenolic benzyl phenyl ketones by lipase from porcine pancreas (PPL) suspended in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The enzyme selectively deacetylates the enolic acetoxy over the phenolic acetoxy group(s) and continuation of the reaction resulted, in addition the regioselective deacetylation of acetoxy function para to the nuclear carbonyl group.