Resolution of (R,S)-2-octanol by Penicillium expansum PED-03 lipase immobilized on modified ultrastable-Y molecular sieve in microaqueous media

The resolution of (R,S)-2-octanol was performed in microaqueous media by the lipase from Penicillium expansum PED-03 lipase (PEL) immobilized on modified ultrastable-Y (USY) molecular sieve. It was found that the conversion, enantiomeric excess (ee), and enantioselectivity (E) of the resolution catalyzed by PEL immobilized on modified USY molecular sieve were much higher than that of the reaction catalyzed by free PEL and PEL immobilized on other supports. Media type, “memorial” pH value and water content were of great importance in the resolution of (R,S)-2-octanol by immobilized PEL, and the conversion of the reaction catalyzed by PEL immobilized on modified USY molecular sieve reached 48.84% with excellent enantioselectivity (average E of eight batches > 460) in n-hexane with 0.8% (v/v) water at “memorial” pH 9.5, 50 °C for 24 h, which showed a good application potential in the production of optically pure (R,S)-2-octanol.