JS-Hydroxynitriles

New or improved syntheses of a-aminonitriles, jS-aminonitriles, optically active O-acetylcyanohydrins, syn-/3-hydroxynitriles, and y-hydroxynitriles have also been reported. 

The rates of gas-phase decomposition for a series of y3-hydroxynitriles have been found to increase from primary to tertiary carbon bearing the OH group. Although the rate order is as for the corresponding jS-hydroxyacetylene analogs, which react by a six-centre cyclic transition state, the rates are lower and the value of log A (13.7-14.4, with consequent small positive AS ) is more consistent with a four-membered transition state or a quasi-heterolytic cleavage. ... 

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