Surpassing nature: A hybrid catalyst in which Candida antarctica lipase B and a nanopalladium species are co-immobilized into the compartments of mesoporous silica is presented. The metal nanoparticles and the enzyme are in close proximity to one another in the cavities of the support. The catalyst mimics a metalloenzyme and was used for dynamic kinetic resolution of a primary amine in high yield and excellent enantioselectivity.

Candida antarctica lipase A (CALA) immobilized in functionalized mesocellular foam in the presence of sucrose, followed by lyophilization, led to a dramatic increase in the enantioselectivity as well as an improved thermostability of the enzyme. The immobilized lipase was used for kinetic resolution (KR) and dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of the β‐amino ester, ethyl 3‐amino‐3‐phenylpropanoate. The temperature of optimum activity of CALA shifted from 20–30 °C to 80–90 °C on immobilization in the MCF. An “enantiomeric ratio” E (E=ν_A/ν_B; ν_A and ν_B are the rate constants for entantiomers A and B) of 69 and a conversion of 43 % in 1 h were obtained at 80 °C, whereas non‐immobilized CALA lost its activity at T≥50 °C. The obtained immobilized CALA showed an E value of greater than 500 at 22 °C. Combination of the immobilized CALA with a ruthenium complex, acting as a racemization catalyst, allowed for a successful DKR of ethyl 3‐amino‐3‐phenylpropanoate resulting in 85 % conversion and 89 % ee.