Enantioselective Biotransformations of Nitriles

Abstract

Enantioselective biotransformations of nitriles using nitrile hydrolyzing microbial whole cell catalysts are a powerful method for the synthesis of highly enantioenriched carboxylic acids and amide derivatives. In this article, progress of Rhodococcus erythropolis AJ270-catalyzed enantioselective biotransformations of nitriles including various functionalized nitriles, a-and b-amino nitriles and b-hydroxy nitriles, cyclopropane-, oxirane-, aziridine-and azetidine-containing carbonitriles is summarized. Applications of enantioselective biotransformations of these nitriles in the synthesis of natural and bioactive products are also discussed.