Biocatalytic separation of (R, S)-1-phenylethanol enantiomers and fractionation of reaction products with supercritical carbon dioxide

▶ An integrated reaction/separation process using sc-CO2 in combination with an enzymatically catalyzed reaction was carried out and thermodynamically evaluated. ▶ Separation of the two isomers of (R, S)-1-phenylethanol served as a model. ▶ An acylating agent with a long carbon chain was chosen to increase the differences between non-reacted alcohol and ester product. ▶ Based on comprehensive phase equilibrium data, a separation process was designed that will lead to the recovery of both (S)-1-phenylethanol and (R)-1-phenylethylaurate with over 95% purity.