Practical synthesis of optically active alpha,alpha-disubstituted malonamic acids through asymmetric hydrolysis of malonamide derivatives with Rhodococcus sp. CGMCC 0497.

A variety of alpha,alpha-disubstituted malonamides undergo enantioselective hydrolysis with Rhodococcus sp. CGMCC 0497 to give challenging enantiopure alpha,alpha-disubstituted malonamic acids with up to >99% enantiomeric excesses and 98% chemical yields. The enantioselectivity originated from the effects of a highly enantioselective amidase. The products could be converted to valuable (R)- or (S)-alpha,alpha-dialkylated amino acids after routine conversions.