A mild and efficient Dakin reaction mediated by lipase

ABSTRACTWe have developed a novel lipase-mediated method to realize the Dakin reaction. A wide range of hydroxylated benzaldehydes could be oxidized with high yields (from 90% to 97%) under mild reaction conditions. Moreover, this lipase-mediated reaction could be scaled up easily and Novozym 435 could be reused more than 10 runs without an obvious decrease in enzyme activity. This protocol expands the application of lipase in organic synthesis and offers a complementary route for the Dakin reaction.