Lipase Catalyzed Synthesis of Ethyl Lactate

Ethyl lactate was synthesized by lipase catalyzed between lactic acid and ethanol in organic medium for the first time. The experiments showed that the optimal solvent is Tert-buty alcohol and the optimal lipase is Novozym 435. The optimal reaction with a conversion of 77% can be reached when the molar ratio (acid: alcohol) is 1:8, the temperature is 60degC, the acid concentration is 0.3 mol/L, the lipase concentration is 45 g/mol, reaction time is 24 hours and the revolutions is 200 rpm. Novozym 435 can be used continuously for six times and a conversion of 60% can be reached.