Acylation of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol with ethyl acetate over an immobilized enzyme

Acylation of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol, which is a product of acetophenone hydrogenation, over a Pd-supported catalyst, was studied in ethyl acetate with an immobilized lipase. It was demonstrated that in the presence of hydrogen and Pd/C in the reaction medium the (R,S)-1-phenylethanol acylation rate is not hindered, whereas the selectivity was strongly altered in the latter case, leading to significant amounts of side products.