One-pot utilization of heterogeneous and enzymatic catalysis: Synthesis of R-1-phenylethyl acetate from acetophenone

One-pot synthesis of R-1-phenylethyl acetate was investigated starting from hydrogenation of acetophenone over a metal-supported catalyst followed by acylation of the formed R-1-phenylethanol over an immobilized lipase. The most promising catalyst for the hydrogenation step was Pd/Al2O3, which in combination with an immobilized lipase yielded maximally 22% R-1-phenylethyl acetate. The support acidity had a crucial effect on the selectivity towards the desired product.