Hydroxy cyanohydrin

Racemic pantolactone is prepared easily by reacting isobutyraldehyde (15) with formaldehyde in the presence of a base to yield the intermediate hydroxyaldehyde (16). Hydrogen cyanide addition affords the hydroxy cyanohydrin (17). Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and cydization of the cyanohydrin (17) gives (R,J)-pantolactone (18) in 90% yield (18). 

An interesting extension of this method involves the reaction of Af-silyl oxyketene imines derived from cyanohydrins (Scheme 19) [81]. By judicious selection of the protecting group on the oxygen, highly functionalized (3-hydroxy cyanohydrins can be accessed with high levels of enantio- and diastereoselectivity. These products can then be transformed into a diversity of structural motifs (amines, aldehydes, imines, ketones) important for the synthesis of polyketide and other classes of natural products. In addition, the ethers can be easily converted to enantiomerically enriched unsymmetrical benzoins, thus revealing the synthetic equivalency of A-silyl oxyketene imines as acyl anions (Scheme 19). 

Mandelic acid. This preparation is an example of the synthesis of an a-hydroxy acid by the cyanohydrin method. To avoid the use of the very volatile and extremely poisonous hquid hydrogen cyanide, the cyanohydrin (mandelonitrile) is prepared by treatment of the so um bisulphite addition compound of benzaldehj de (not isolated) with sodium cyanide ... 

The most general methods for the syntheses of 1,2-difunctional molecules are based on the oxidation of carbon-carbon multiple bonds (p. 117) and the opening of oxiranes by hetero atoms (p. 123fl.). There exist, however, also a few useful reactions in which an a - and a d -synthon or two r -synthons are combined. The classical polar reaction is the addition of cyanide anion to carbonyl groups, which leads to a-hydroxynitriles (cyanohydrins). It is used, for example, in Strecker s synthesis of amino acids and in the homologization of monosaccharides. The ff-hydroxy group of a nitrile can be easily substituted by various nucleophiles, the nitrile can be solvolyzed or reduced. Therefore a large variety of terminal difunctional molecules with one additional carbon atom can be made. Equally versatile are a-methylsulfinyl ketones (H.G. Hauthal, 1971 T. Durst, 1979 O. DeLucchi, 1991), which are available from acid chlorides or esters and the dimsyl anion. Carbanions of these compounds can also be used for the synthesis of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds (p. 65f.). 

Out first example is 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-octanone. 3-Octanone can be purchased, but it would be difficult to differentiate the two activated methylene groups in alkylation and oxidation reactions. Usual syntheses of acyloins are based upon addition of terminal alkynes to ketones (disconnection 1 see p. 52). For syntheses of unsymmetrical 1,2-difunctional compounds it is often advisable to look also for reactive starting materials, which do already contain the right substitution pattern. In the present case it turns out that 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butanone is an inexpensive commercial product. This molecule dictates disconnection 3. Another practical synthesis starts with acetone cyanohydrin and pentylmagnesium bromide (disconnection 2). Many 1,2-difunctional compounds are accessible via oxidation of C—C multiple bonds. In this case the target molecule may be obtained by simple permanganate oxidation of 2-methyl-2-octene, which may be synthesized by Wittig reaction (disconnection 1). 

In substitutive lUPAC nomen clature cyanohydrins are named as hydroxy deriva tives of nitriles Because ni trile nomenclature will not be discussed until Section 20 1 we will refer to cyanohydrins as derivatives of the parent aldehyde or ketone as shown in the ex amples This conforms to the practice of most chemists... 

Nitrile groups m cyanohydrins are hydrolyzed under conditions similar to those of alkyl cyanides Cyanohydrin formation followed by hydrolysis provides a route to the preparation of a hydroxy carboxylic acids... 

A cyanohydrin is an organic compound that contains both a cyanide and a hydroxy group on an aUphatic section of the molecule. Cyanohydrias are usually a-hydroxy nitriles which are the products of base-cataly2ed addition of hydrogen cyanide to the carbonyl group of aldehydes and ketones. The lUPAC name for cyanohydrias is based on the a-hydroxy nitrile name. Common names of cyanohydrias are derived from the aldehyde or ketoae from which they are formed (Table 1). 

The outstanding chemical property of cyanohydrins is the ready conversion to a-hydroxy acids and derivatives, especially a-amino and a,P-unsaturated acids. Because cyanohydrins are primarily used as chemical intermediates, data on production and prices are not usually pubUshed. The industrial significance of cyanohydrins is waning as more direct and efficient routes to the desired products are developed. Acetone cyanohydrin is the world s most prominent industrial cyanohydrin because it offers the main route to methyl methacrylate manufacture. 

Hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid [583-91 -5] the hydroxy analogue of the amino acid methionine, is manufactured by acid hydrolysis of 3-methylthiopropionaldehyde cyanohydrin [17773-41-0] which is produced by the reaction of methyl mercaptan with acrolein (qv). 

The mixture of D and L optical forms of this hydroxy analogue of methionine is converted to the calcium salt which is used in animal feed supplements. Cyanohydrins react with ammonium carbonate to form hydantoins (2), which yield amino acids upon hydrolysis. Commercial DL-methionine [59-57-8] is produced by hydrolysis of the hydantoin of 3-meth5ithiopropionaldehyde [3268-49-3]. 

Reaction of cyanohydrins with absolute ethanol in the presence of HCl yields the ethyl esters of a-hydroxy acids (3). A/-substituted amides can be synthesized by heating a cyanohydrin and an amine in water. Thus formaldehyde cyanohydrin and P-hydroxyethylamine lead to A/- (P-hydroxyethyl)hydroxyacetamide (4). 

Addition of hydrogen cyanide to an aldose to form a cyanohydrin is the first step in the Kiliani-Fischer method for increasing the carbon chain of aldoses by one unit. Cyanohydrins react with Grignard reagents (see Grignard reaction) to give a-hydroxy ketones. 

Cyanohydrins react with hydrogen haUdes or PCl to give a-halo nitriles which can be further hydrolyzed to the a-halo carboxyUc acids. The a-hydroxy group of cyanohydrins can be esterified with an acid or acid chloride. Dehydration of cyanohydrins with phosphoms pentoxide gives >80% yields of alkylacrylonitriles (8). 

Cyanohydrins are highly toxic by inhalation or ingestion, and moderately toxic through skin absorption (21). AH a-hydroxy nitriles are potential sources of hydrogen cyanide or cyanides and must be handled with considerable caution. Contact with the skin and inhalation should be rigorously avoided. Special protective clothing should be worn and any exposure should be avoided (18,20). The area should be adequately ventilated. Immediate medical attention is essential in case of cyanohydrin poisoning. 

Cyanohydrin Synthesis. Another synthetically useful enzyme that catalyzes carbon—carbon bond formation is oxynitnlase (EC 4.1.2.10). This enzyme catalyzes the addition of cyanides to various aldehydes that may come either in the form of hydrogen cyanide or acetone cyanohydrin (152—158) (Fig. 7). The reaction constitutes a convenient route for the preparation of a-hydroxy acids and P-amino alcohols. Acetone cyanohydrin [75-86-5] can also be used as the cyanide carrier, and is considered to be superior since it does not involve hazardous gaseous HCN and also virtually eliminates the spontaneous nonenzymatic reaction. (R)-oxynitrilase accepts aromatic (97a,b), straight- (97c,e), and branched-chain aUphatic aldehydes, converting them to (R)-cyanohydrins in very good yields and high enantiomeric purity (Table 10). 

Chemical Designations - Synortyms 2-Cyanoethanol Glycol cyanohydrin l-Hydroxy-2-cyanoethane Hydracrylonitrile 3-Hydroxypropanenitrile Chemical Formula HOCHjCHjCN. 

Cyano-3 -hydroxy-5a-pregnan-20-one A suspension of 5a-pregnane-3, 20-dione (2 g) in ethanol (90 ml) is treated with acetone cyanohydrin (4 ml) and three drops of triethylamine and stirred at room temperature until complete dissolution. After 3 hr, the solution is diluted with 200 ml of water, acidified with acetic acid and the crystalline precipitate is thoroughly washed with water and dried under vacuum to give 2.1 g (97%) of product mp 172-178° (dec). A sample recrystallized from ethyl acetate melts at 176-179° (dec) [a]p 86° (ethyl acetate). 

The reaction of 17-keto steroids with hydrogen cyanide (or acetone cyanohydrin) to form a mixture of the 17-cyano-17-hydroxy compounds, followed by dehydration and reaction with methyl Grignard reagent, is one of the earliest methods for the conversion of androstanes to pregnanes. 

While both possible epimeric cyanohydrins are formed (with the 17a-cyano-17/9-hydroxy compound predominating) the mixture can be used in the dehydration step, which destroys the asymmetry. 

Steroidal 17-cyanohydrins are relatively stable towards chromium trioxide in acetic acid (thus permitting oxidation of a 3-hydroxyl group ) and towards ethyl orthoformate in ethanolic hydrogen chloride (thus permitting enol ether formation of a 3-keto-A system ). Sodium and K-propanol reduction produces the 17j -hydroxy steroid, presumably by formation of the 17-ketone prior to reduction. ... 

Cyano -17 - hydroxy androst- 4- en - 3 - one Androst - 4- ene -3,17- dione (20 g) is dissolved by gentle warming in 30 ml of freshly prepared acetone cyanohydrin.Crystallization begins in a few minutes and is complete... 

Generally, the successful conversion of 20-ketopregnanes to 17-hydroxy-androstanes with peracids requires the protection of other ketones, with the exception of those at C-11, and possibly C-12 e.g., as ketals or cyanohydrins ) and isolated double bonds e.g., as dibromides). Unprotected hydroxyl groups do not interfere, except, as expected, a 17a-hydroxy-20-keto steroid is oxidized to the 17-ketone. The use of nitrate esters to protect... 

Hydroxy-20-cyanohydrins can be oxidized to 3-ketones in good yield with chromic acid, and the osmate ester of the unsaturated nitrile is also stable to this oxidant. " After hydrolysis of the osmate ester, the new 17-hydroxy-20-cyanohydrin which is presumably formed cannot be isolated, but loses hydrogen cyanide during the hydrolysis, and only the 17a-hydroxy-20-ketone is obtained. 

A solution of 1.1 g of the cyanohydrin in 6 ml of pyridine is treated with 0.6 ml of phosphorus oxychloride and allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture is quenched with ice and water and the resulting crystalline precipitate is collected, washed with water and dried to yield 1.05 g. Recrystallization from aqueous pyridine affords 0.88 g (83%) of 20-cyano-21-hydroxy-3,3-ethylenedioxypregna-5,17(20)-dien-l l-one acetate mp 197-200°. 

Hydroxy-B-homo-5a-cholestan-7-one acetate (54b) A solution of 3/3-hydroxy-5a-cholestan-7-one acetate (51b 5 g mp 146-148°) in dioxane-ethanol (100 ml, 1 1) is placed in a 250 ml three-necked flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer and thermometer and is cooled to 0° (iee-salt bath). Powdered potassium cyanide (7.3 g) is added portionwise with stirring. Acetic acid (8 ml) is then added dropwise with constant stirring over 30 min. The resultant mixture is stirred for 1 hr at 0° C and for an additional 2 hr at room temperature. It is then poured into ice water (200 g ice, 100 ml water) and after standing for 1 hr the precipitate is collected by filtration. The product is dissolved in ether (100 ml), the ether solution is washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate, water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The filtrate is evaporated at reduced pressure and the solid residue (5.1 g) is crystallized from ethyl acetate (30 ml) to yield 2.8 g of cyanohydrin (52b) mp 160-164° repeated crystallization from the same solvent gives a product mp 164-167°. An alternative method of isolation of the cyanohydrin is used when 100 g or larger quantities are worked up. The reaction mixture is poured directly into a mixture of ice water and sodium bicarbonate, the precipitate (mp 155-156°) is washed well with water, dried and used directly for the next step. 

The formation of a-amino nitrile 2 is likely to proceed via a cyanohydrin 4 (an a-hydroxy nitrile) as intermediate, which is formed by the addition of hydrogen cyanide to the aldehyde 1 ... 

Stork s elegant use of a protected cyanohydrin function in the synthesis of PGF2a (2) is also noteworthy. The electron-withdrawing cyano substituent in intermediate 21 (Scheme 7) confers nucleophilic potential to C-9 and permits the construction of the saturated cyclopentane nucleus of PGF2a (2) through intramolecular alkylation. In addition, the C-9 cyanohydrin function contained within 40 is stable under the acidic conditions used to accomplish the conversion of 39 to 40 (see Scheme 7), and it thus provides suitable protection for an otherwise labile /J-hydroxy ketone. 

The enzyme-catalyzed stereoselective synthesis of (/ )- and (S )-cyanohydrins allows a simple access to compounds which can be easily transformed into the corresponding a-hydroxy-car-boxylic acids (see Table 2)20,21,23, a-hydroxyaldehydes26 or acyloins27, without racemization. 

Table 3. (R)-Cyanohydrins by Enzymatic Formation from Ketones and Hydrocvamic Acid as well as (7 )-a-Hydroxy-a-methyl Carboxylic Acids by Hydrolysis...

By simply hydrolyzing the easily accessible 2-hydroxy-2-methylalkanenitriles with concentrated acid, 2-hydroxy-2-methylalkanoic acids are obtained without measurable racemization (Table 3). The reaction sequence from the starting ketone to the carboxylic acid can be carried out in one pot without isolation of the cyanohydrin. The enantiomeric excesses of the (/ )-cyanohydrins and the (ft)-2-hydroxyalkanoic acids are determined from the ( + )-(/T)-Mosher ester derivatives and as methyl alkanoates by capillary GC, respectively. The most efficient catalysis by (R)-oxynitrilase is observed for the reaction of hydrocyanic acid with 2-alkanoncs. 3-Alkanoncs are also substrates for (ft)-oxynitrilase, to give the corresponding (/ )-cyanohydrins32. 

There are expressions of uncertainty concerning the mechanism of the first step of the Strecker amino acid synthesis13-17. The reaction can proceed via the formation of an imine and subsequent nucleophilic attack of cyanide (path ). Alternatively, it has been speculated that the reaction of the aldehyde with hydrogen cyanide furnishes a cyanohydrin (path ), which then is subjected to a nucleophilic displacement of the hydroxy group by the amino function. 

The addition of HCN to aldehydes or ketones produces cyanohydrins (a-hydroxy nitriles). Cyanohydrins racemize under basic conditions through reversible loss of FiCN as illustrated in Figure 6.30. Enantiopure a-hydroxy acids can be obtained via the DKR of racemic cyanohydrins in the presence of an enantioselective nitriletransforming enzyme [86-88]. Many nitrile hydratases are metalloenzymes sensitive to cyanide and a nitrilase is usually used in this biotransformation. The DKR of mandelonitrile has been extended to an industrial process for the manufacture of (R)-mandelic acid [89]. 

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