*2.8. Sampling*

Samples of the suspension (500 μL) were taken periodically and 50 μL conc. NaOH was added to completely solve the undissolved salts and quench the reaction. Then 500 μL cyclopentylmethyl ether (CPME) was added to extract substrate and product, mixed by a vortex mixer and then centrifuged (2 min, 3000 rpm) to improve phase separation. From the organic layer, 200 μL was taken and was diluted with 800 μl CPME, combined with 200 μL of a 25 mM n-decane solution in CPME (internal standard) and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography.
