Lonza Ag

Other

Nicholas Shaw

Andrew Brian Naughton

Walter Brieden

Karen T Robins

Thomas Zimmermann

Andreas Tinschert

Jean-Paul Roduit

Andreas Kiener

Olwen M Birch

Johann Brass

Martin Fuhrmann

J Org Kohr

Jorg Kohr

The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of (S)&#x2014; or (R)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid and to novel microorganisms capable of utilizing the propionamide of the formula in the form of the racemate or of its optically active isomers as the sole nitrogen source.

Process for the preparation of (S)- or (R)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid

The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of (S)- or (R)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid and to novel microorganisms capable of utilizing the propionamide of the formula in the form of the racemate or of its optically active isomers as the sole nitrogen source.

Process for the preparation of (S) - or (R) -3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid

Described are new micro-organisms and a new enzyme capable of using as sole source of nitrogen the propionic acid amide of formula (VI), in racemate form or as optically active isomers. Described also is a method of preparing (S)- or (R)-3,3,2-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid of formulas (I) and (II) starting from trifluoroaceto-acetic ester. The first three process steps are chemical, the fourth process step microbiological.

Method of preparing (S)- or (R) -3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid

The invention relates to a novel method for the preparation of optically active 3,3,3-trifluoromethyl-2-alkyl propionic acid derivatives of the general formulae (I) and (II), in which R is ethyl or methyl and X is OH or NH , provided that if R is methyl X&ne;&mdash;OH. The method comprises the reaction of a racemic propionic acid amide of the general formula (III) either by means of microorganisms which are able to use the propionic acid amide in the form of the racemate or one of its optically active isomers as the only nitrogen source or by means of a polypeptide with amidohydrolase activity which is able to hydrolyze the propionic acid amide. The invention also relates to new optically active representatives of this category of compounds.

Process for preparing optically active 3,3,3-trifluoromethyl-2-alkylpropionic acid derivatives

Biotechnological method of producing biotin

Microorganisms of interest are capable of utilizing .alpha.-imino carboxamides, in the form of the racemate or of its optically active isomers, of the general formula ##STR1## wherein A together with --NH-- and --CH-- is an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered saturated heterocyclic ring, as sole nitrogen source, and converting (RS)-.alpha.-imino carboxamides of Formula I into an S-.alpha.-imino carboxylic acid of the general formula ##STR2## These microorganisms are useful also for biconversion of an (RS)-.alpha.-imino carboxamide of Formula I into an S-.alpha.-imino carboxylic acid.

Biotechnological process for the preparation of cyclic s-alpha-imino

Microorganisms of interest are capable of utilizing .alpha.-imino carboxamides, in the form of the racemate or of its optically active isomers, of the general formula ##STR1## wherein A together with --NH-- and --CH-- is an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered saturated heterocyclic ring, as sole nitrogen source, and converting (RS)-.alpha.-imino carboximides of Formula I into an S-.alpha.-amino carboxylic acid of the general formula ##STR2## These microorganisms are useful also for biconversion of an (RS)-.alpha.-imino carboxamide of Formula I into an S-.alpha.-amino carboxylic acid.

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Visp, Switzerland

Nicholas Shaw