Enantiospecific synthesis of cyanocyclitols and (6R)-6-hydroxyshikimic acid from benzonitrile

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0957-4166(96)00055-9

The chiral cis-3-cyanocyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol 5, available by microbial oxidation of benzonitrile, is the key intermediate used in brief syntheses of the cyanocyclitols 9 and 15, and in the synthesis of 6-hydroxyshikimic acid 20.