Synthesis and stereoselective reactions of (R)-α-sulfonyloxynitriles

Abstract

We report here on an important extension of the synthetic potential of optically active cyanohydrins by conversion of the hydroxy group into a good leaving group. Of particular interest are reactions of the cyanohydrin derivatives in which the nitrogen of the cyano group remains in the molecule, since compounds of this type are not directly accessible via α-amino- or α-hydroxycarboxylic acids.