Lipase catalyzed synthesis of benzyl acetate in solvent-free medium using vinyl acetate as acyl donor.

Use of vinyl acetate as acyl donor in transesterification of benzyl alcohol catalyzed by a commercially available lipase (Lipozyme RM IM) gave 100% conversion in 10 min. The excess acyl donor and the enzyme could be recovered and reused. Unlike the chemical catalytic processes, it produced no undesirable side product.