Heteroaromatic amides, hydrolysis

The ammoxidation of methyl aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds is a convenient route to many nitriles required for further synthesis of fine chemicals. For example, for the production of amines by hydrogenation or of carboxylic acids and amides by hydrolysis. 

Aromatic and heteroaromatic nitriles were selectively transformed into the corresponding amides by a Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain [663] the products accumulated in the culture medium in significant amounts (Scheme 2.103). In contrast to the hydrolysis performed by chemical means, the biochemical transformations were highly selective and occurred without the formation of the corresponding carboxylic acids. 

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