120345-60-0

Upstream product

• 133721-87-6 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxyacetonitrile 
• 108-24-7 acetic anhydride 
• 631-57-2 Acetyl cyanide 
• 459-57-4 4-fluorobenzaldehyde 
• 82128-66-3 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(trimethylsilyloxy)acetonitrile 

Downstream Products

• 51965-61-8 4-fluoro-α-methylbenzeneacetonitrile 
• 176485-58-8 (-)-4-fluoro-α-hydroxyphenylacetonitrile 
• 149952-37-4 (R)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxyacetonitrile 

Relevant academic research and scientific papers

Hydroxynitrile Lyase Isozymes from Prunus communis: Identification, Characterization and Synthetic Applications

Biocatalysts originating from Badamu (Prunus communis) have been applied to catalyze the asymmetric synthesis of (R)-4-methylsulfanylmandelonitrile, a key building block of thiamphenicol and florfenicol. Here, four hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) isozymes from Badamu were cloned and heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris. The biochemical properties and catalytic performances of these isozymes were comprehensively explored to evaluate their efficiency and selectivity in asymmetric synthesis. Among then, PcHNL5 was identified with outstanding activity and enantioselectivity in asymmetric hydrocyanation. Under the optimized mild biphasic reaction conditions, seventeen prochiral aromatic aldehydes were converted to valuable chiral cyanohydrins with good yields (up to 94%) and excellent optical purities (up to >99.9% ee), which provide a facile access to numerous chiral amino alcohols, hypoglycemic agents, angiotension converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and β-blockers. This work therefore underlines the importance of discovering the most potent biocatalyst among a group of isozymes for converting unnatural substrates into value-added products. (Figure presented.).

High-Throughput Preparation of Optically Active Cyanohydrins Mediated by Lipases

Cyanohydrins are versatile compounds with high applicability in organic synthesis; they are used as starting materials for the synthesis of other chemical targets with high industrial added value. Lipase-mediated kinetic resolution reactions are a promising route for the synthesis of optically active cyanohydrins. These reactions can be carried out through the acylation of cyanohydrins or the deacylation of cyanohydrin esters, with different biocatalysts and under different reaction conditions. Unfortunately, depending on the substrate structure, long reaction times can be required to achieve suitable enantiomeric excesses. In this context, we present a high-throughput protocol for the production of optically active cyanohydrins in continuous-flow mode. The products were obtained with moderate to good enantioselectivity (E values from 8 up to >200) and with productivity values from 2.4 to 8.7 times higher in continuous-flow mode than in batch mode. Moreover, the reaction times were reduced from hours in batch mode to minutes in continuous-flow mode.

Fast microwave-assisted resolution of (±)-cyanohydrins promoted by lipase from Candida antarctica

Enzymatic kinetic resolution (EKR) of (±)-cyanohydrins was performed by using immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica (CALB) under conventional ordinary conditions (orbital shaking) and under microwave radiation (MW). The use of microwave radiation contributed very expressively on the reduction of the reaction time from 24 to 2 h. Most importantly, high selectivity (up to 92percent eep) as well as conversion was achieved under MW radiation (50-56percent).

N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed cyanation reaction of carbonyl compounds with ethyl cyanoformate and acetyl cyanide

N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) has been employed as an efficient catalyst for cyanation reaction of carbonyl compounds. Under catalysis of 1 mol % NHCs, various aldehydes and 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone coupled with ethyl cyanoformate in THF to provide cyanohydrins ethyl carbonates in excellent yields. While in the presence of 10 mol % catalyst, different types of aldehydes and 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone reacted with acetyl cyanide in dichloroethane to give acylated cyanohydrins in moderate to high yields.

Enzymatic kinetic resolution of racemic cyanohydrins via enantioselective acylation

Enzymatic kinetic resolution of a series of aromatic and aliphatic cyanohydrins in organic media has been investigated. The behavior of potential lipases, molecular sieves, acyl reagent, reaction temperature, and organic solvents on the kinetic resolution was studied. The influence of substrate structure, steric, and electronic nature and position of the aryl substituent on the enantioselectivity was discussed. Under the optimized reaction conditions, good enantioselectivity could be achieved for most of the investigated compounds. Specifically, substrates 1a, 1c, 1d, 1f, 1u could be resolved with the kinetic enantiomer ratio (E) higher than 200.

Kinetic resolution of cyanohydrins via enantioselective acylation catalyzed by lipase PS-30

By using lipase PS-30 as catalyst, the kinetic resolution of a series of racemic cyanohydrins has been achieved via enantioselective acylation. The values of kinetic enantiomeric ratio (E) reached up to 314. Substituent effect is also briefly discussed.