Novel enzymatic recognition of the ferrocene framework: nitrile hydratase/amidase catalyzed cascade biotransformations

For the first time, two bacterial strains expressing a nitrile hydratase/amidase activity were able to recognize the ferrocene framework: Rhodococcus erythropolis A4 and Rhodococcus rhodochrous PA-34. Important parameters for the enzymatic recognition are the specific structural features of the substrates, and the inducers adopted during the bacterial growth phase.