Lipase-Catalyzed Aza-Michael Reaction on Acrylate Derivatives

A methodology has been developed for an efficient and selective lipase-catalyzed aza-Michael reaction of various amines (primary and secondary) with a series of acrylates and alkylacrylates. Reaction parameters were tuned, and under the optimal conditions it was found that <i>Pseudomonas stutzeri</i> lipase and <i>Chromobacterium viscosum</i> lipase showed the highest selectivity for the aza-Michael addition to substituted alkyl acrylates. For the first time also, some CLEAs were examined that showed a comparable or higher selectivity and yield than the free enzymes and other formulations