Lipase-mediated flow synthesis of nature-inspired phenolic carbonates.

A facile and convenient lipase-catalyzed flow approach for the chemoselective synthesis of tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol methyl carbonates has been developed in neat dimethylcarbonate. The products were obtained in quantitative yield with high catalyst productivity. The biocatalytic approach was then exploited for the preparation of value-added symmetrical tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol carbonates.