Process for the enzymatic preparation of optically-active cyanohydrins

Abstract

The preparation of optically-active cyanohydrins from the corresponding oxo compounds is disclosed. The reaction of the oxo compounds with hydrocyanic acid is carried out in an organic solvent in the presence of (R)- or (S)-oxynitrilase (4.1.2.10) and (4.1.2.11), respectively, being solubilized in a lyotropic liquid crystal. Compounds which upon hydrolysis produce increased pH values are excluded as surface active agents. Preferably, surface active agents, the organic solvent and an aqueous buffer solution with a pH of 3 to 6, are mixed together to obtain a liquid crystal/organic solvent two-phase system. The liquid crystal is preferably fixed on a porous support, in particular a glass support. The reaction is carried out in a flow-through reactor which contains the liquid crystal in the abovementioned form or in thin layers adjacent to narrow flow channels, the borders of which are liquid permeable and through which the substrate-containing solvent is passed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.