Abstract

A bimetallic titanium(salen) complex has been shown to catalyse the asymmetric addition of potassium cyanide to aldehydes in the presence of a range of anhydrides, leading to cyanohydrin esters. Linear aliphatic anhydrides (acetic and propionic) gave products with higher enantiomeric purity than those obtained using pivalic or benzoic anhydrides.

Keywords: cyanohydrin, catalyst, ester, titanium, salen