A facile one-pot synthesis of α-hydroxy acids and their derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1991-26562

2-Substituted oxirane-1,1-dicarbonitriles react with water, alcohols or phenol to give 2-substituted 2-hydroxyacetic acids, alkyl-2-alkoxyacetates and phenyl 2-phenoxyacetates, respectively. Reaction of 2-substituted oxirane-1,1-dicarbonitrile with thiophenol and a nucleophile, typically water ethanol or urea, gave 2-(phenylthio)acetic acids, ethyl 2-(phenylthio)acetates and N-aminocarbonyl-2-(phenylthio)acetamides.