One-Pot Lipase-Catalyzed Aldol Reaction Combination of In Situ Formed Acetaldehyde

A facile tandem route to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes was developed by combining the two catalytic activities of the same enzyme in a one-pot strategy for the aldol reaction and in situ generation of acetaldehyde. Lipase from Mucor miehei was found to have conventional and promiscuous catalytic activities for the hydrolysis of vinyl acetate and aldol condensation with in situ formed acetaldehyde. The first reaction continuously provided material for the second reaction, which effectively reduced the volatilization loss, oxidation, and polymerization of acetaldehyde, as well as avoided a negative effect on the enzyme of excessive amounts of acetaldehyde. After optimizing the process, several substrates participated in the reaction and provided the target products in moderate to high yields using this single lipase-catalyzed one-pot biotransformation.