A practical high through-put continuous process for the synthesis of chiral cyanohydrins

J Org Chem. 2002 Nov 15;67(23):8251-3. doi: 10.1021/jo020432n.

Abstract

A practical high through-put continuous process for the synthesis of chiral cyanohydrins is reported. Pretreated almond meal (or other solid raw enzyme sources) was loaded in a column to form a reactor, to which were attached a supplying system to deliver a solution of substrate and HCN in solvent on one end and a collecting-separating system on the other end. By controlling the flowing rate, optimal conditions were achieved for the hydrocyanation of various aromatic carboxaldehydes in a "micro-aqueous" medium to produce chiral cyanohydrins in high yields and high enantiomeric excess (ee) with high substrate/catalyst ratio.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehyde-Lyases / metabolism
  • Aldehydes / metabolism
  • Benzaldehydes / metabolism
  • Nitriles / chemical synthesis*
  • Prunus / enzymology
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Benzaldehydes
  • Nitriles
  • cyanohydrin
  • Aldehyde-Lyases
  • mandelonitrile lyase
  • benzaldehyde