Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Unraveling Entropic Rate Acceleration Induced by Solvent Dynamics in Membrane Enzymes
Published on: January 16, 2016
Solvent selection for biocatalysis in mainly organic systems: predictions of effects on equilibrium position
1Department of Bioscience & Biotechnology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XW, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Predictions may be made for the influence of solvent choice on the equilibrium position of biocatalyzed reactions, based on data for the liquid-liquid distribution of the reactants. The most reliable predictions are probably for dilute systems, based on partition coefficients or correlations derived from them. The effective equilibrium constant for esterification reactions is predicted to alter by more than four orders of magnitude on changing between different water-immiscible solvents. The equilibrium constant correlates well with the solubility of water in the solvent, and is most favorable for synthesis in the least polar solvents (aliphatic hydrocarbons). Similar effects seem to apply for other reactions, including oxidation of alcohols and hydrolysis of chlorides. Predictions can be made for nondilute systems using the UNIFAC system of group contributions, but the reliability of these is more questionable.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Titration in Nonaqueous Solvents
Solubility Equilibria: Overview
Solubility is important in biological and environmental processes. A notable...
Chemical and Solubility Equilibria
Leveling Effect and Non-Aqueous Acid-Base Solutions
The Leveling Effect of a Solvent
A generic acid (HA) reacts with the generic base (B-) to yield the corresponding conjugate base (A-) and conjugate acid (HB):
Solubility Equilibria
The...
Chemical Equilibria: Systematic Approach to Equilibrium Calculations
The first step is to identify all the chemical reactions involved, The...

