preparation of (S)-2-cyanopiperidine 4 provides a new access to 2-substituted piperidines. This synthesis is based on an enantioselective (R)-oxynitrilase-catalyzed reaction for the preparation of (R)-(+)-6-bromo-2-hydroxyhexanenitrile 1 and the subsequent cyclization of this compound to yield the piperidine ring. The utilization of 4 as the starting material for the synthesis of (S)-2-aminomethylpiperidine