METHODS FOR PRODUCING ENANTIOMERICALLY PURE .ALPHA.-SUBSTITUTED CARBOXYLIC ACIDS

摘要

In accordance with the present invention there are provided methods for producing enantiomerically pure a-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, .alpha.-amino acids and .alpha.-hydroxy acids, said method comprising combining an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an ammonium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity which stereoselectively hydrolyzes the amino nitrite or cynohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the carboxylic acid.