Exploitation of a Candida antarctica lipase B-catalysed in situ carboxylic acid activation method for the synthesis of acetanilides

An efficient biocatalytic method has been developed which provides acetanilides in good yields which are otherwise inaccessible using Candida antarctica lipase B. The process exploits the enzyme-catalysed synthesis of an acyl donor and its in situ reaction with anilines. The method is potentially useful for the synthesis of bulky acetanilides since amide formation occurs through an active site-independent step.

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► We have developed an efficient enzymatic method to prepare acetanilides in good yields using the addition of an activating agent.
► On the whole the yields are better than similar reactions without the activating agent.
► The method is potentially useful for the synthesis of bulky acetanilides since amide formation occurs outside of the enzyme's active site.