Stabilization of α-ZrP ceramic nanosheets adsorbing quaternary ammonium ions in organic solvents and their application as a stable solid support for lipase catalyzing stereospecific synthetic reactions

Herein, the effect of immobilizing lipase onto layered α-zirconium phosphate ceramic nanosheets (α-ZrP NS) on the enzymatic transesterification of allylic alcohols was investigated in organic solvents. α-ZrP NS modified with quaternary ammonium ions show a excellent dispersion stability in n-hexane. Lipase immobilized on α-ZrP NS enables the improved synthesis of chiral allylic alcohols and esters, with significantly reduced reaction times compared to reactions performed in the absence of α-ZrP NS. The coexistence of α-ZrP NS also results in more efficient steric inversion of the resulting allyl ester, suggesting the utility of α-ZrP NS as a support for lipase-induced stereospecific reactions. The present manuscript discusses on mechanisms of high dispersion stability of α-ZrP NS and their preferable immobilizing effect for the lipase inducing the steric inversion in detail.