Synthesis of fatty hydroxamic acids catalyzed by the lipase ofMucor miehei

Biotechnological synthesis of a new class of amphiphilic molecules—fatty hydroxamic acids—was carried out using the lipase ofMucor miehei by reacting hydroxyl amine with the fatty acids in their free or methyl ester form. Concurrently with enzymatic synthesis, chemical synthesis of hydroxamic fatty acids has also been developed by adapting methods that already existed for water-soluble acids. Different parameters were studied to determine the optimum operating conditions: temperature, molar ratio of reagents, quantity of biocatalyst and length of reaction. A general method, whatever the type of fatty acids used, is described.