Highly enantioselective synthesis of (alpha),(alpha)-disubstituted malonamic acids through asymmetric hydrolysis of dinitriles with Rhodococcus sp. CGMCC 0497

Highly enantioselective hydrolysis of (alpha),(alpha)-disubstituted malononitriles by the strain Rhodococcus sp. CGMCC 0497 expressing both nitrile hydratase and amidase activity to give (R)-(alpha),(alpha)-disubstituted malonamic acids which could be converted to valuable (R)- or (S)(alpha)-alkylated amino acids are reported and the yields of the products are improved remarkably at a lower reaction temperature.