Nitrilase-Catalysed Desymmetrisation of 3-Hydroxyglutaronitrile: Preparation of a Statin Side-Chain Intermediate

An efficient, scaleable synthesis of ethyl (R)-4-cyano-3-hydroxybutyrate, a potential intermediate in the synthesis of Atorvastatin (Lipitor), has been developed. The three-stage process starts with reaction of low-cost epichlorohydrin with cyanide to give 3-hydroxyglutaronitrile (3-HGN). The second stage utilises a nitrilase-catalysed desymmetrisation of 3-HGN. The nitrilase reaction has been optimized to work at 3 M (330 g/L) substrate concentration, pH 7.5, 27 °C. Under these conditions, with an enzyme loading of 6 wt %, 100% conversion and 99% ee product is obtained in 16 h. This material is then esterified to give the target compound, ethyl (R)-4-cyano-3-hydroxybutyrate. The cost-effectiveness of the process is determined by three factors:  use of a low-cost starting material, the introduction of the chiral centre by desymmetrisation as opposed to kinetic resolution, and the use of Pfēnex Expression Technology to allow a lower-cost supply of biocatalyst.