Enzymatic process for the preparation of optically active cyanohydrins

US5008192A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• Kernforschungsanlage Juelich GmbH · DE
• Degussa AG · DE

Inventors

• Uwe Neidermeyer · Walberberg, DE
• Udo Kragl · Kritzmow, DE
• Maria-Regina Kula · Jülich, DE
• Christian Wandrey · Jülich, DE
• Kyriakos Makrylaleas · Alzenau, DE
• Karlheinz Drauz · Alzenau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 30, 1989
• Grant date: Apr 16, 1991
• Expiry date: Jan 30, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12P13/004
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An enzymatic reaction of aliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic aldehydes or ketones with hydrocyanic acid to form the corresponding (R)-cyanohydrins or (S)-cyanohydrins is carried out in an aqueous medium in the presence of (R)-oxynitrilase (4.1.2.10) or oxynitrilase (4.1.2.11) under acid conditions and at temperatures such that the competing chemical reaction and racemization are negligible compared with the enzymatic synthesis. The process is preferably carried out at a pH of .ltoreq.4.5 and at reaction temperatures between -5.degree. C. and +50.degree. C. The reaction is preferably carried out continuously, advantageously in an enzyme membrane reactor. Of particular interest is the conversion of aromatic aldehydes into the corresponding optically active cyanohydrins.