Synthesis of threo-3-aryl-2,3-dihydroxypropanoic acid derivatives with high optical purity

Abstract Cyanohydrins of arylaldehydes can be obtained in high optical purity using the 'Inoue' dipeptide catalyst system and converted into enantiomerically and diastereochemically pure threo -3-aryl-2,3-dihydroxypropanoic acid derivatives using a route which involves a novel base-catalysed equilibration of the acetonides of the cyanodiols.