Method for the production of optically active cyanohydrins using r-oxynitrilase

US6717006B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• DSM Fine Chemicals Austria NFG GmbH & Co KG · AT

Inventors

• Peter Pochlauer · Dordrecht, NL
• Irma Wirth · Ansfelden, AT
• Herbert Mayrhofer · Linz, AT
• Rudolf Neuhofer · Mittertreffling, AT

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 10, 2002
• Grant date: Apr 6, 2004
• Expiry date: Jul 5, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12P41/001
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to the production of (R)-enantiomeric, optically active cyanohydrins by reacting an aldehyde or a ketone with a cyanide group donor in the presence of (R) oxynitrilase, wherein a reaction mixture comprising a) an aldehyde or a ketone dissolved in an organic solvent; said organic solvent is immiscible or only slightly miscible with water, b) any aqueous R)-oxynitrilase solution and c) a cyanide group donor is stirred in such away that an emulsion is formed which remains intact until the end of the enzymatic reaction. After the enzymatic reaction has terminated, the (R)-cyanohydrin is isolated from the reaction mixture.