Development of organic fine chemicals by combining microbial and chemical reactions

Some organic fine chemicals have been developed by a combination of microbi al and chemical processes. These combination processes make the production more simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. The process of 6 -chloro-3-aminomethylpyridine was established by incorporating the regiosel ective microbial hydroxylation of 3-cyanopyridine and the improved reductio n of 6-chloro-3-cyanopyridine with modified Raney Nickel catalysts. Product ion of ethyl (R)-beta-hydroxy -gamma-cyanobutylate has been achieved via mi crobial asymmetric reduction of chloroacetoacetate. A novel method of 2-cya nopiperazine that includes a Michael addition of ethylenediamine to 2-chlor oacrylonitrile, followed by an intramolecular cyclization, was found, and i ts application for the chiral piperazine derivatives via biotransformation is now under development.