Process for preparing nitriloamides

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A process for the selective preparation of nitrilo mono-, di- or tri- amides comprising the steps of: a) Forming in a slurry reactor a substrate comprising a saturated aqueous suspension of nitrilotrinitrile having the formula:, (see formula I) wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from alkylene radical having 1-20 carbon atoms b) farming in a bioreactor, free or immobilized whole cell microorganisms having high nitrile hydratase activity, c) circulating the substrate from (a) through a filter into the bioreactor from (b) wherein the substrate is hydrolyzed by the whole cells of (b) to farm a corresponding nitrilo monodi- or tri- amide product.