Properties of perfluorocarbon solvents

In this project we exploit extremely inert and hydrophobic properties of perfluorinated hydrocarbons by employing them as reaction media in enzyme-catalyzed processes. We perform biocatalysis (using isolated enzymes or whole cells) in perfluorocarbons. This brings advantages in product separation, modifies substrate and reaction scope, and improves selectivity (Chemical Communications 1680-1681, 2002).

We also study miscibility of perfluorocarbons with ethers and alcohols (binary and ternary liquid-liquid equilibria) in collaboration with Doc. Řehák from ICT Prague (Journal of Fluorine Chemistry 129: 397-401, 2008; Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data 59: 3510-3516, 2014).