Enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of (S)-cyanohydrins and subsequent hydrolysis to (S)-α-hydroxy-carboxylic acids

Abstract

(S)-Cyanohydrins 2 are obtained with high enantioselectivity from aromatic aldehydes and HCN in the presence of (S)-oxynitrilase (E.C.4.1.2.11). Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the cyanohydrins 2 affords the corresponding (S)-α-hydroxy carboxylic acids 3 without racemization.