Design of phosphonium ionic liquids for lipase-catalyzed transesterification

Ionic liquids are now recognized as solvents for use in lipase-catalyzed reactions; however, there still remains a serious drawback in that the rate of reaction in an ionic liquid is slower than that in a conventional organic solvent. To overcome this problem, attempts have been made to evolve phosphonium ionic liquids appropriate for lipase-catalyzed reaction; several types of phosphonium salts have been prepared and their capability evaluated for use as solvent for the lipase-catalyzed reaction. Very rapid lipase PS-catalyzed transesterification of secondary alcohols was obtained when 2-methoxyethyl(tri-n-butyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([MEBu3P][NTf2]) was used as solvent, affording the first example of a reaction rate superior to that in diisopropyl ether.