Biocatalytic asymmetric hydrolysis of (±)-β-hydroxy nitriles by Rhodococcus sp. CGMCC 0497

The asymmetric hydrolysis of several 3-hydroxy-4-aryloxybutanenitriles using Rhodococcus sp. CGMCC 0497 was studied. It was revealed that the reaction temperature of 20 °C was more effective than that conventional incubation temperature such as 30 °C. The products, (R)-amides and (S)-acids, were obtained in enantiomeric excesses of up to 87%.