Acylation of sucrose with vinyl esters using immobilized hydrolases : demonstration that chemical catalysis may interfere with enzymatic catalysis

The acylation of sucrose with vinyl laurate in dimethylsulfoxide was catalyzed by Celite (28% conversion in 24 h at 40 °C, 150 mg catalyst ml−1), Eupergit C (11% conversion in 24 h at 60 °C, 150 mg catalyst/ml), and even the simple Na2HPO4 (17% conversion in 24 h at 40 °C, 20 mg catalyst ml−1). These chemical acylations must therefore be taken into account in acylations of hydroxyl-containing compounds with enol esters in polar solvents using immobilized enzymes.