Patent ID: 7198926
Filing Date: 2007-04-03
Classification: C12N,C12P

Abstract:
1. A process for producing (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoic add and (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenoic acid in high yield and purity from a mixture of (E,Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitriles comprising (a) contacting a mixture of (E,Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitriles in a suitable aqueous reaction mixture with a catalyst having nitrilase activity; wherein said catalyst comprises a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4; (b) separating the (E)-2methyl-2-butenoic acid produced in step (a) in the form of a salt or acid from unreacted (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile; and (c) converting the unreacted (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile from step (b) to (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenoic acid in the form of a salt or acid.