<i>Linum usitatissimum</i> Hydroxynitrile Lyase Cross‐Linked Enzyme Aggregates: A Recyclable Enantioselective Catalyst

Abstract

Abstract An immobilized form of the hydroxynitrile lyase from Linum usitatissimum ( Lu HNL) as cross‐linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) with high specific activity (303.5 U/g) and recovery (33%) was developed. Molecular imprinting using 2‐butanone as additive in the immobilization process improved the synthetic activity of the biocatalyst. Lu CLEA could be partially recycled for the synthesis of ( R )‐2‐butanone cyanohydrin on a preparative scale over two batches. The enantioenriched cyanohydrin obtained was further hydrolyzed to give ( R )‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐methylbutyric acid in 85% yield (from 2‐butanone) and 87% ee .