Immobilised Candida antarctica B as efficient catalyst for the synthesis of local anaesthetic intermediates

We hereby present the development of new reaction conditions for the CALB catalysed esterification of substituted benzoic acids. Using cyclohexane as the reaction media a number of heptyl benzoates have been easily isolated in good to excellent yields (up to 100% at 80 °C, 20–24 h). Moreover, the catalytic system has been successfully applied to the synthesis of local anaesthetics intermediates also showing good productivity in recycling experiments.