Biocatalytic ester synthesis in ionic liquid media

Ionic liquids have shown potential as green reaction media compared with organic solvents, mainly due to their lack of vapour pressure. In non-aqueous enzymology, ionic liquids are opening up new fields. The advantages of using ionic liquids over the use of organic solvents as reaction medium for biocatalysis include enhancement of enzyme activity, stability and selectivity.In this work, the enzymatic synthesis of esters in ionic liquids has been extensively reviewed. Numerous examples of the application of ionic liquids as reaction medium for the enzymatic production of esters have been included. The effect of the nature of the ionic liquid on activity, selectivity and stability of enzymes which catalyze esters synthesis has been carefully analysed. Innovative reaction methodologies for the biosynthesis of esters, including ionic liquid/supercritical carbon dioxide biphasic systems and the integrated reaction/separation processes using supported liquid membranes based on ionic liquids have been revised. Copyright