PRODUCTION OF OPTICALLY ACTIVE 3-HYDROXY-4-HALOGENO-BUTYRONITRILE

摘要

PURPOSE:The reaction of an optically active 3-halogeno-2-alkanoyloxypropylaryl- sulfonate with an alkali cyanide gives the titled compound which is used as a synthetic intermediate of an optically active carnitine. CONSTITUTION:The reaction of a compound of formula I (X is halogen; R<1> is 1-8C aliphatic hydrocarbon; R<2> is aromatic hydrocarbon, * is asymmetric carbon) with an alkali metal salt of hydrogen cyanide such as potassium cyanide is carried out in a solvent such as methanol, ethanol or water at 0-50 deg.C for 20-50hr to give the objective compound of formula II. The reaction is conducted using the alkali cyanide at a molar ratio of 1.0-3.0 to the compound of formula I, preferably in 20mol% excess.