Asymmetric Hydrocyanation of Aldehydes in Crystalline Beta-Cyclodextrin Complexes

Abstract

Exposure of crystalline β- cyclodextrin complexes of aldehydes to hydrogen cyanide gives cyanohydrins in moderate to good yields. The hydrocyanation reaction displayed enantioselection, and the cyanohydrins were formed with optical yields in the range from 0 to 33%.