Patent ID: 6582943
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: C07C,C12N,C12P

Abstract:
A process for producing 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid from acetone cyanohydrin comprising(a) contacting acetone cyanohydrin in a suitable aqueous reaction mixture with a catalyst characterized by nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W or by a combination of nitrile hydratase and amidase activities derived from Comamonas testosteroni, wherein the catalyst characterized by nitrile hydratase and amidase activity is in the form of microbial cells selected from the group consisting of Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM4D ATCC 55744 and Comamonas testosteroni 22-1 ATCC PTA-1853, and microbial cells transformed to express Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D ATCC 55744 or Comamonas testosteroni 22-1 ATCC PTA-1853 nitrile hydratase and amidase activities; and (b) isolating the 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid produced in (a) in the form of a salt or acid.