The bakers’ yeastreduction of 2-alkyl-3-oxobutyronitrile gave optically pure 2-alkyl-3-hydroxybutyronitriles. Especially 2-phenyl-3-oxobutyronitrile gave only syn diastereomer of 2-phenyl-3-hydroxybutyronitrile in high optical yield.
Thiocrown Ether Additive Effects on Diastereoselectivity of the Lipase-Catalyzed Reaction: Preparation of Optically Active 3-Hydroxy-2-methylalkanenitriles through a Double Enzymatic Reaction Strategy
The additive effect on diastereoselectivity towards the lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of acetates of 3-hydroxy-2-methyl- or 3-hydroxy-2-ethylalkanenitriles has been investigated. Diastereoselectivity was not influenced by thiocrown ether additives, although a significant modification of enantioselectivity was observed. Origin of the diastereoselectivity of the lipase-catalyzed reaction was thus evidently
From the branches of Microtropis japonica (Celastraceae), nine aliphatic glucosides, named microtropins A-I, were isolated. The 6-position of glucose was esterified with (2S,3R)-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydroxybutyric acid. Microtropins A-D contained a rare natured product nitrile functional group in their aglycones. The absolute structures of the (25,3R)-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydroxybutyric acid moiety and aglycone of microtropin A were determined by an X-ray crystallographic method. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
KOZIKOWSKI, A. P.;ADAMCZYK, M., J. ORG. CHEM., 1983, 48, N 3, 366-372