Preparation of optically active cyanohydrin derivatives by reacting an aldehyde with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of (R) hydroxynitrile lyase

摘要

Optically active cyanohydrin derivatives (II) are prepared by reacting an aldehyde (I) with hydrogen cyanide in a water-immiscible solvent, in the presence of (R)-hydroxynitrile lyase. Preparation of an optically active cyanohydrin derivative of formula (II) comprises reacting an aldehyde of formula (I) with HCN, in a water-immiscible organic solvent in the presence of water, optionally in the presence of a buffer, in the presence of a (R)-hydroxynitrile lyase. X, Y, Z1 = H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, O(1-4C alkyl), OCOMe, NHCOMe, NO2 or 1-4C alkyl.