An efficient method for the lipase-catalysed resolution and in-line purification of racemic flurbiprofen in a continuous-flow reactor

The lipase-catalysed kinetic resolution of flurbiprofen was performed in a flow-chemistry reactor allowing for a significant reduction of the reaction time compared to the classical batch method. The process was implemented by adding an in-line purification step of the exiting solution, consisting in a catch and release protocol, which allows easy separation and recovery of both (S)-flurbiprofen and (R)-flurbiprofen butyl ester with an enantiomeric excess ≥90% and a chemical purity >98%.

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► Novozym 435 performs kinetic resolution of flurbiprofen in a continuous flow reactor.
► The use of a flow reactor dramatically accelerates the biotransformation.
► A catch and release strategy allowed for an easy substrate/product separation.