MANUFACTURE OF WATER-SOLUBLE .BETA.-HYDROXYNITRILES

摘要

A process for making a water-soluble .beta.-hydroxynitrile. A 1,2-epoxide an d an inorganic cyanide salt are reacted in a solvent having aqueous methanol a nd a buffer therein to form .beta.-hydroxynitrile. The buffer substantially inhibits the information of reaction products other than .beta.- hydroxynitrile. Optionally, water may be removed from the .beta.- hydroxynitrile by azeotropic distillation with acetonitrile and subsequently purified via vacuum distillation and filtraton.