The synthesis of an intermediate for a rhinovirus protease inhibitor has been accomplished by an impressive resolution employing a protease from Bacillus lentus (Scheme 10).

Scheme 10

11.2.2 Nitrile Hydrolysis

Nitrilases are used for the hydrolysis of racemic or prochiral nitriles to give carboxylic acids. For example, nitrilase from A. faecalis catalyzes the hydrolysis of α -hydroxy nitriles to give ( R )-mandelic acid with excellent enantioselectivity (Scheme 11).

Scheme 11