Selective hydrolysis of saturated esters over unsaturated esters using enzymes
AssigneeAmerchol Corporation
InventorsKevin Andrew DiGregorio, James Charles Hatfield, George Ernest Keller
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Abstract
Processes are disclosed for the selective hydrolysis of saturated esters, e.g., ethyl propionate, over unsaturated esters, e.g., ethyl acrylate, using enzymes, e.g., lipases. The processes are useful, for example, for removing undesired esters from monomer feeds used in latex polymerization and from the latexes after polymerization. The processes can be used, for example, to treat latexes used in hair fixative compositions to remove unpleasant odors.
Claims20
A process for selectively hydrolyzing a saturated ester over an unsaturated ester, said saturated and unsaturated ester each comprising from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, said process comprising contacting a feed containing said unsaturated ester and said saturated ester at a pH of from about 4 to 8 and a temperature of from about 20.degree. to 50.degree. C. with an enzyme having (i) functionality to hydrolyze esters and (ii) selectivity for said saturated ester over said unsaturated ester to convert said saturated ester to its corresponding acid and alcohol.
A process for selectively hydrolyzing a saturated ester over an unsaturated ester, said saturated and unsaturated ester each comprising from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, said process comprising contacting a feed containing said unsaturated ester, said saturated ester, water and a latex polymer polymerized from said unsaturated ester and optionally other monomers at a pH of from about 4 to 8 and a temperature of from about 20.degree. to 50.degree. C. with an enzyme having (i) functionality to hydrolyze esters and (ii) selectivity for said saturated ester over said unsaturated ester to convert said saturated ester to its corresponding acid and alcohol.
A process for selectively hydrolyzing ethyl propionate over ethyl acrylate comprising contacting a feed containing said ethyl propionate and said ethyl acrylate at a pH of from about 5 to 7 and a temperature of from about 25.degree. to 40.degree. C. with a Candida artarctica lipase enzyme having (i) functionality to hydrolyze esters and (ii) selectivity for said ethyl propionate over said ethyl acrylate to convert said ethyl propionate to propionic acid and ethyl alcohol.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.