One-pot synthesis of (R)-1-(pyridin-4-yl)ethyl acetate using tandem catalyst prepared by co-immobilization of palladium and lipase on mesoporous foam: Optimization and kinetic modeling

The synthesis of (R)-1-(pyridin-4-yl)ethyl acetate was achieved over tandem palladium-lipase catalyst with 100% selectivity using 4-acetyl pyridine as a reactant. The 2% w/w palladium and lipase catalyst was successfully co-immobilized in the microenvironment of the mesocellular foam and characterized by various techniques. The palladium metal from catalyst hydrogenated 4-acetyl pyridine to form 1-(pyridin-4-yl)ethanol. The generated intermediate product then underwent kinetic resolution over lipase and selectively gave (R)-1-(pyridin-4- yl)ethyl acetate. The catalytic conditions were then studied for optimal performance of both steps. The reaction conditions were optimized to 50 °C and toluene as a solvent. Both chemical and enzymatic kinetic models of the reaction were developed for a given set of reaction conditions and kinetic parameters were predicted. At optimal conditions, the obtained selectivity of intermediate (1-(pyridin-4-yl)ethanol) was 51.38%. The final product yield of ((R)-1-(pyridin-4-yl)ethyl acetate) was 48.62%.