ARS | Publication request: CHYMOTRYPSIN-CATALYZED TRANSESTERIFICATION IN IONIC LIQUIDS AND IONIC LIQUID/SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: June 15, 2001
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The processing of farm crops in industrial operations often calls for the use of environmentally harmful fluids. We have examined whether new types of liquids can be substituted in these proceses. The new fluids are cleaner and safer to work with in chemical facilities. We found that these new fluids were helpful, especially when several different kinds of safe fluids were combined. Consumer skincare and pharmaceutical products can be made in them. Our findings demonstrate to crop processors and scientists the potential value of using these new fluids.

Technical Abstract: The potential utility and versatility of biotransformations in ionic liquids and ionic liquids mixed with supercritical carbon dioxide is demonstrated using a model enzyme reaction. The characteristics of enzyme activity in the ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate are consistent with those observed in conventional organic solvents. The presence of supercritical carbon dioxide modifies the properties of ionic liquid, altering the conditions required for optimum enzyme activity. These findings indicate that the combination of ionic liquids with supercritical carbon dioxide may represent a particularly efficacious medium for clean non-aqueous biosynthesis.