GENERAL METHOD: 3-(4-bromophenyl)propionic acid (1 mmol) was dissolved in toluene (1 ml) in a 5 ml vial. Diethyl carbonate (2mmol) and enzymes (4mg of each) were then added. The reaction mixture was placed in a Heidolph Inkubator 1000 incubator and stirred at 40°C for 24 to 48 hours using a Heidolph Promax 1020 vortex mixer. After completion of the reaction, the mixture was cooled and washed sequentially with NaHCO3 solution (3 times) and brine (1 time). Finally, the organic solvent was removed by vacuum to give the target product ethyl p-bromophenylpropionate.
