Enzymatic enantioselective C-C-bond formation in microreactors

We have demonstrated that multiple crude enzyme lysates containing a hydroxynitrile lyase can be used for the enantioselective synthesis of cyanohydrins from aldehydes in microchannels. Using a microreactor setup, two important parameters were efficiently screened consuming only minute amounts of reagents. More importantly, results from the continuous flow reaction were fully consistent with results obtained from larger batchwise processes in which a stable emulsion was formed.