Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of (S)-Acetophenone Cyanohydrin under High Pressure

Abstract The first trimethylsilylcyanation of acetophenone to its ( S )-cyanohydrin was accomplished with e.e. up to 60% in 93% yield at 0.8 GPa, using 0.01 eq. of a reuseable catalyst prepared from ( S )-3,3-dimethyl-1,2,4-butanetriol and titanium isopropoxide. Reactions of 4′-substituted acetophenones to the corresponding cyanohydrins gave lower e.e. and yields. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.