A Convenient Route to (R)-α-Hydroxy Carboxylic Acids and (2R)-1-Amino-2-alkanols from (R)-Cyanohydrins

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1990-26945

(R)-Cyanohydrins, prepared in good to excellent yields with high optical purity by enzyme-catalyzed addition of hydrogen cyanide to aldehydes in organic solvents, are hydrolyzed with concentrated hydrochloric acid at ambient temperature, usually in very high yield, without any trace of racemization to give (R)-α-hydroxy carboxylic acids.Likewise, no racemization is observed by direct reduction of the (R)-cyanohydrins with lithium aluminium hydride to give (2R)-1-amino-2-alkanols.