An enzymatic process of the Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reaction in a microflow system

Abstract

A green and efficient method for the Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reaction has been developed in a microflow system. A Novozym 435-catalyzed MBH reaction is reported, wherein the co-catalyst nicotinamide was employed to enhance the catalytic efficiency. The reaction was carried out under mild conditions, yielding the target product in up to 67% yield within 16 minutes. Although enantioselectivity was not observed with Novozym 435, this method provides an industrially relevant, practical, and efficient recyclable strategy, in which lipase replaces chemical catalysts, and a scale-up experiment was successfully completed in a microflow system.