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Metabolism of bardoxolone methyl (BARD-Me), an oleanolic acid derivative, and its epoxide metabolite was studied in different in vitro systems. BARD-Me also undergoes glutathione (GSH)-adduct formation via direct nucleophilic attack at the β-carbon of the α,β-unsaturated ketone substituent on the A-ring. The presence of an electron withdrawing nitrile residue on the α-carbon increases the α,β-unsaturated ketone’s susceptibility to nucleophilic attack by thiols. This allows BARD-Me to generate reversible adducts with the thiol groups of Cysteine residues in target proteins without the potential toxic liabilities of irreversible covalent adduct formation. However, BARD-Me epoxide can also react with thiols irreversibly. Therefore, the epoxide was synthesized and its metabolic fate studied in vitro. BARD-Me epoxide was found to undergo two novel metabolic biotransformations; epoxide reduction and oxidative elimination of nitrile moiety. Both metabolic pathways proceed via nucleophilic attack of the thiol group of GSH at each of the two carbon atoms of the epoxide as evidenced by the formation of two β-hydroxy sulfide regioisomers. Oxidative elimination of nitrile moiety proceeds via nucleophilic attack of the thiol group of GSH at the epoxide carbon atom that is β to the cyano group to give a cyanohydrin metabolite, which spontaneously decomposes to release cyanide and the corresponding ketone. Nucleophilic attack of the thiol group of GSH at the epoxide carbon atom that is α to the cyano group, results in the formation of the GSH mono-adduct that undergoes intermolecular reduction with another GSH molecule, followed by elimination of oxidized GSH (GS-SG) and the formation of an enolate intermediate. Upon protonation, the enolate intermediate gives rise to hydroxylated BARD-Me, which is readily converted back to BARD-Me through the elimination of water. The chemical reactivity of the epoxide metabolite and the liberation of cyanide is of significant toxicological interest for the potential utility of BARD-Me as a therapeutic agent.

A carbon supported Pd catalyst is used in the liquid phase hydrogenation of the aromatic cyanohydrin mandelonitrile (C6H5CH(OH)CH2CN) to afford the primary amine phenethylamine (C6H5CH2CH2NH2). Employing a batch reactor, the desired primary amine is produced in 87% selectivity at reaction completion. Detection of the by-product 2-amino-1-phenylethanol (C6H5CH(OH)CH2NH2) accounts for the remaining 13% and closes the mass balance. The reaction mechanism is investigated, with a role for both hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis processes established.

The novel Ag(I) and Cu(II) coordination polymers [Ag(&mu, 3-1&kappa, O, 2:3&kappa, O&prime, 4&kappa, N-HL)]n∙n/2H2O (1) and [Cu(en)2(&mu, 1&kappa, 2&kappa, N-L)]n∙nH2O (2) [HL&minus, = 2-(2-(1-cyano-2-oxopropylidene)hydrazinyl)benzene sulfonate] were synthesized and characterized by IR and ESI-MS spectroscopies, elemental and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 as well as the already known complex salt [Cu(H2O)2(en)2](HL)2 (3) have been tested as homogenous catalysts for the cyanosilylation reaction of different aldehydes with trimethylsilyl cyanide, to provide cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers. Coordination polymer 2 was found to be the most efficient one, with yields ranging from 76 to 88% in methanol, which increases up to 99% by addition of the ionic liquid [DHTMG][L-Lactate].

2-Methylcyclopropane pyrethroid insecticides bearing chiral cyanohydrin esters or chiral ethers and two asymmetric centers on the cyclopropane ring, were synthesized. These compounds were designed using a “reverse connection approach” between the isopropyl group in Fenvalerate, and between two dimethyl groups in an Etofenprox analogue (the methyl, ethyl form), respectively. These syntheses were achieved by accessible ring opening reactions of commercially available (±)-, (R)-, and (S)-propylene oxides using 4-chlorobenzyl cyanide anion as the crucial step, giving good overall yield of the product with &gt, 98% ee. The insecticidal activity against the common mosquito (Culex pipiens pallens) was assessed for pairs of achiral diastereomeric (1R*,2S*)-, (1R*,2R*)-cyanohydrin esters, and (1R*,2S*)-, (1R*,2R*)-ethers, only the (1R*,2R*)-ether was significantly effective. For the enantiomeric (1S,2S)-ether and (1R,2R)-ether, the activity was clearly centered on the (1R,2R)-ether. The present stereostructure‒activity relationship revealed that (i) cyanohydrin esters derived from fenvalerate were unexpectedly inactive, whereas ethers derived from etofenprox were active, and (ii) apparent chiral discrimination between the (1S,2S)-ether and the (1R,2R)-ether was observed. During the present synthetic study, we performed alternative convergent syntheses of Etofenprox and novel 4-EtO-type (1S,2S)- and (1R,2R)-pyrethroids from the corresponding parent 4-Cl-type pyrethroids, by utilizing a recently-developed hydroxylation cross-coupling reaction.

Synthesis of the valuable unsymmetric 1,8-dicarbonyl compounds remains underexplored currently. Herein, we disclose a new strategy for the synthesis of 1,8-diketones through the coupling of cyclopropanols and cyanohydrins under visible-light irradiation. The protocol features a cascade of intriguing ring opening of cyclopropanols and remote cyano migration. The unfavorable addition of an alkyl radical to an electron-rich alkene is facilitated by the intramolecular cyanohydrin interception. A variety of multiply functionalized 1,8-diketones are furnished in useful yields. The products could be further transformed into other valuable compounds, manifesting the utility of this method.

Enantiopure &beta, amino alcohols constitute one of the most significant building blocks for the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Despite the availability of a range of chiral &beta, amino alcohols from a chiral pool, there is a growing demand for new enantioselective synthetic routes to vicinal amino alcohols and their derivatives. In the present study, an asymmetric 2-step catalytic route that converts 4-anisaldehyde into a &beta, amino alcohol derivative, (S)-tembamide, with excellent enantiopurity (98% enantiomeric excess) has been developed. The recently published initial step consists in a concurrent biocatalytic cascade for the synthesis of (S)-4-methoxymandelonitrile benzoate. The O-benzoyl cyanohydrin is then converted to (S)-tembamide in a hydrogenation reaction catalyzed by Raney Ni. To achieve hydrogenation of the nitrile moiety with highest chemoselectivity and enantioretention, various parameters such as nature of the catalyst, reaction temperature and hydrogen pressure were studied. The reported strategy might be transferrable to the synthesis of other N-acyl-&beta, amino alcohols.

Cyanohydrins are versatile compounds with high applicability in organic synthesis; they are used as starting materials for the synthesis of other chemical targets with high industrial added value. Lipase-mediated kinetic resolution reactions are a promising route for the synthesis of optically active cyanohydrins. These reactions can be carried out through the acylation of cyanohydrins or the deacylation of cyanohydrin esters, with different biocatalysts and under different reaction conditions. Unfortunately, depending on the substrate structure, long reaction times can be required to achieve suitable enantiomeric excesses. In this context, we present a high-throughput protocol for the production of optically active cyanohydrins in continuous-flow mode. The products were obtained with moderate to good enantioselectivity (E values from 8 up to >200) and with productivity values from 2.4 to 8.7 times higher in continuous-flow mode than in batch mode. Moreover, the reaction times were reduced from hours in batch mode to minutes in continuous-flow mode.

The first example of Pd-catalyzed intramolecular C-H addition of indoles bearing cyanohydrin components at the C(3), C(2), and N(1) positions to nitriles is described. A wide range of functionalized partially saturated carbazoles, tetrahydropyrido[1,2-a]indole, and carbazoles can be prepared in good to excellent yields under the optimal conditions. In addition, fused polycyclic indoles with seven- or eight-membered rings can also be formed smoothly.

GtHNL from Granulicella tundricola is a Mn(II) containing hydroxynitrile lyase with a cupin fold. The quasi-octahedral manganese is pentacoordinated by the enzyme. It catalyzes the enantioselective addition of HCN to aldehydes, yielding R-cyanohydrins. On the Lewis acidic vacant coordination site the Mn binds either substrate or the product, leading to a hexacoordinated 17 electron complex. EPR spectra of the active enzyme are unusually wide with a zero-field splitting approximately equal to the X-band microwave energy. A spectral change is induced by incubation with either one of the substrates/products HCN, benzaldehyde, and/or mandelonitrile. This points toward Mn(II) catalyzed cyanohydrin synthesis.

An active nickel catalyst prepared in situ from a Ni(II) compound, phosphine ligand, and zinc powder was found to be an efficient catalyst system for the hydrocyanation of various alkenes using acetone cyanohydrin as a safer cyano source. The combination of NiCl2·6H2O and 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane was the most efficient catalyst precursor in DMF. Under the optimized conditions, various styrenes, heterocyclic alkenes, and aliphatic alkenes were converted to their corresponding nitriles in excellent yields.

Background: Tofacitinib is known to generate two metabolites M2 (alcohol) and M4 (acid), which are formed as the result of oxidation and loss of the nitrile [1]. Method: Systematic in vitro investigation into generation of M2 and M4 from tofacitinib. Results: In vitro using human liver microsomes, we found a new geminal diol metabolite of tofacitinib (MX) that lost the nitrile. MX was further reduced or oxidized to M2 (alcohol) and M4 (acid), respectively by enzymes such as aldo-keto reductase 1C1, aldehyde oxidase and possibly CYP3A4. Stable label studies using H 2 18 O and D 2 O suggested the source of oxygen was from water in the media. This was due to rapid water exchange with MX in the media prior to reduction to M2. In case of deuterium, one was incorporated in M2 and this was mainly as a result of tofacitinib rapid exchange of two deuterium atoms from D 2 O onto methylene position. After formation of MX, there was one deuterium that no longer exchanged with water and therefore retained in M2 for further reduction. Conclusion: The proposed mechanism involved the initial oxidation by P450 at the α-carbon to the nitrile group generating an unstable cyanohydrin intermediate; followed by the loss of the nitrile group to form a new geminal diol metabolite (MX).

The absolute stereochemistry of cyanohydrins, derived from ketones and aldehydes, is obtained routinely, in a microscale and derivatization-free manner, upon their complexation with Zn-MAPOL, a zincated porphyrin host with a binding pocket comprised of a biphenol core. The host-guest complex leads to observable exciton-coupled circular dichroism (ECCD), the sign of which is easily correlated to the absolute stereochemistry of the bound cyanohydrin. A working model, based on the ECCD signal of cyanohydrins with known configuration, is proposed.

Hydroxynitrile lyases (HNLs) are increasingly finding application in synthesis of enantiomerically pure cyanohydrins. Cyanohydrins are important intermediates in the production of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. In the present studies seeds of wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) have emerged as potential source of hydroxynitrile lyase. The HNL of wild apricot (ParsHNL) was purified 8.1 fold and 18.2 % yield with a specific activity of 141 units mg−1 protein. The SDS-PAGE of the enzyme revealed that it consists of subunits of 40 and 37 kDa. However, the molecular weight of holoenzyme was assessed to be 360 kDa. The enzyme showed maximum activity in 0.1 M sodium-citrate buffer having pH 4.75 at 25 °C. Thermostability studies revealed that this HNL showed activity up to 70 °C temperature and quite stable up to 50 °C. Activation energy of ParsHNL was calculated to be 37.83 kJ mol−1. This enzyme has K m of 3.76 mM, V max of 188.4 µmol mg−1 min−1 and k cat of 1130.4 s−1 using mandelonitrile as substrate while for reverse reaction using benzaldehyde as substrate it showed K m of 16.1 mM, V max of 7.21 µmol mg−1 min−1 and k cat of 43.3 s−1. Synthesis of mandelonitrile was carried out using ParsHNL and finally 8.88 mmole (1.184 g) of mandelonitrile was recovered which corresponded to 89 % molar conversion with 96 % ee for R-mandelonitrile. The yield of mandelonitrile was 411 µmol mg−1h−1. These results indicated that ParsHNL has very high potential for synthesis of cyanohydrins and can be used for the production of enantiopure cyanohydrins.

An effective method for the chemical synthesis of cyanogenic glucosides has been developed as demonstrated by the synthesis of dhurrin, taxiphyllin, prunasin, sambunigrin, heterodendrin, and epiheterodendrin. O-Trimethylsilylated cyanohydrins were prepared and subjected directly to glucosylation using a fully acetylated glucopyranosyl fluoride donor with boron trifluoride-diethyl etherate as promoter to afford a chromatographically separable epimeric mixture of the corresponding acetylated cyanogenic glucosides. The isolated epimers were deprotected using a triflic acid/MeOH/ion-exchange resin system without any epimerization of the cyanohydrin function. The method is stereocontrolled and provides an efficient approach to chemical synthesis of other naturally occurring cyanogenic glucosides including those with a more complex aglycone structure.

Three-dimensional (3D) cobalt(II) and cadmium(II) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) bearing rigid 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate (1,4-NDC) linkers were prepared and their solid-state structures were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Both Co-MOF and Cd-MOF exhibited isostructural frameworks. 1,4-NDC ligands bridge the metal ions in chelating/bridging and simple bridging modes to form a 1D chains, and these 1D chains are interconnected by 1,4-NDC to form 3D frameworks with the formula of [M2(1,4-NDC)2(DMF)2] (M = CoII or CdII). The as-prepared Cd-MOF was found to be catalytically active for the cyanosilylation reaction of aromatic aldehydes with nitro substituent in varying positions in the presence of trimethylsilyl cyanide to afford cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers in a shape and size selective manner. The catalytic reaction is thought to have mainly occurred inside the Cd-MOF micropores which were generated through the partial dissociation of DMF ligands near the surfaces of Cd-MOF, where openly accessible coordination sites are available once the labile DMF ligands dissociate from CdII ions. The as-prepared Co-MOF did not exhibit catalytic activities for the same reaction.

By reacting copper(II) or nickel(II) salts with sodium 2-(2-(2,4-dioxopentan-3-ylidene)hydrazinyl) benzenesulfonate (NaHL) in an EtOH/H2O solvent mixture and in the presence of ethylenediamine (en), [Cu(HL)2(en)2] (1) or {[Ni(en)3](HL)2}·C2H5OH·6H2O (2) were synthesized, respectively. In MeOH, the coordination polymer [Cu(μ-L1-1κO,NN′N′′:2κO′)]n (3) was obtained, where L1 refers to a dianionic ligand species attained via Schiff-base condensation of NaHL with en on the Cu(II) metal centre, whereas no reaction was obtained in the case of Ni(II). All the compounds were characterised by IR spectroscopy, ESI-MS, elemental and single-crystal diffraction. The Cu(II) compounds 1 and 3 act as effective homogenous catalysts for the cyanosilylation reaction of a variety of aldehydes with trimethylsilyl cyanide affording the corresponding cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers in high yields (up to 93%) and at room temperature.

A convenient one-pot, two-step procedure for the synthesis of ketone cyanohydrin esters in aqueous media is reported using N -acylbenzotriazoles as the acylating agents. In saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate containing a catalytic amount of tetrabutylammonium bromide, the reaction of ketones with potassium cyanide and N -acylbenzotriazoles proceeded readily at room temperature to provide the corresponding O -acyl cyanohydrin derivatives in good to excellent yields.

Rotational transitions of gauche-acetone cyanohydrin are measured in the microwave range between 5 and 23 GHz. Results from quantum chemical calculations indicate that the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group undergoes a tunneling motion connecting two equivalent structures. The observed signals are assigned to the two lowest tunneling substates 0 + and 0 - , which belong to either a- or c-type transitions exhibiting Coriolis splittings of a few MHz. Additional hyperfine structure arises from the quadrupole coupling 14N nucleus. The energy separation Δ E between the 0 + and 0 - states is predicted to be around 50 GHz. The molecular structure and internal dynamics are discussed in terms of their spectral signatures.

A simple molecular phosphorescent Ru(II) probe P1 has been synthesized by the reaction of 5-aldehyde-2,2′-bipyridine with ruthenium(II) chlorides under mild conditions. The probe upon interaction with different cation and anion showed high selectivity and sensitivity for cyanide ion (CN‒) through phosphorescence “turn-on” response in aqueous solution (60% water) with a detection limit of 0.75 μM. The significant phosphorescence enhancement (~ 30-fold) is attributed to the nucleophilic addition of cyanide ion to the aldehyde groups of the ruthenium complex in 3 : 1 stoichiometry, in which a naked-eye sensitive orange red color of solution changed to a yellow. The generation of cyanohydrin species through nucleophilic addition has been confirmed by 1H NMR, FT-IR and mass spectra. Based on the color change of the solution, a visual colorimetric strip was prepared, which also showed good detection performance on cyanide ion with quick response time. The prominent efficiency of the Ru(II) probe proved the potential possibility of application in biosystems relating with cyanide ion.

Three known multinuclear Zn(II)-arylhydrazone complexes, [Zn{(CH3)2SO}(H2O)(L1)] (1), [Zn2(CH3OH)2(μ-L2)2] (2) and [Zn4(μ-OH)2(1κO:2κO-HL3)4(κO-HL3)2(H2O)4] (3) were prepared upon reaction of ZnCl2 or Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O with 3-(2-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl) hydrazineylidene) pentane-2,4-dione (H2L1), 3-(2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)hydrazineylidene)pentane-2,4-dione (H2L2) and 2-(2-(2,4-dioxopentan-3-ylidene)hydrazineyl)benzoic acid (H2L3), respectively, in methanol solution. Compounds 1–3 were tested as catalysts for the cyanosilylation reaction of a diversity of both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes with trimethylsilyl cyanide yielding the corresponding cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers in high yields (72–98%) in methanol and at room temperature.

A mechanistic exploration of the liquid phase hydrogenation of the aromatic cyanohydrin mandelonitrile (C6H5CH(OH)CH2CN) over a carbon supported Pd catalyst to produce the primary amine, phenethylamine (C6H5CH2CH2NH2) is conducted. Prior examination showed the reaction to involve the production of the ketone intermediate 2-aminoacetophenone (C6H5C(O)CH2NH2), formed as a consequence of the presence of an acid catalysed tautomeric side reaction. The corresponding deuteration reaction, reported here and analysed by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, is employed to further investigate accessible pathways. Examination of the resultant product distribution of the deuteration, and the location of deuterium incorporation establishes the role of a hydroxy-imine species as a key reaction intermediate. In addition, the acid catalysed tautomerism to the ketone is shown to be a reversible side reaction, but also a contributor to desired product formation. Moreover, an order for the three critical hydrogen consuming steps in phenethylamine formation is established. Hydrogenation of the nitrile functionality to afford the hydroxy-imine precedes hydrogenolysis of the hydroxyl group, with the final step being hydrogenation of the imine to form the target product, phenethylamine.

An efficient preparation of cyanohydrin ethyl carbonates via cyanocarbonation of aromatic and hetero-aromatic aldehydes with sodium cyanide and ethyl chlorocarbonate using commercial surfactants (5 mol %) in aqueous media at low temperature afforded almost quantitative isolated yields (≥94%) in 30 min. Aromatic aldehydes bearing electron-donating as well as electron-withdrawing groups have been successfully employed without any significant changes. Centrifugation of the reaction mixture allows accessible purification without the need of solvent extraction. Reaction conditions can be readily upscaled to multigrams.

Two transition-metal containing heteropolyniobates, H[Ni(en)3]5[VNb12O40(VO)2]·15H2O (1) and H3[Cu(en)2]4[VNb12O40(VO)2]·13H2O (2) (en = ethylenediamine), based on dicapped vanadium keggin polyoxoniobates have been synthesized by using ethylene glycol and water as a mixed solvent and characterized by various means. Due to the synergy between polyoxoniobate anions and transition-metal chelates, 1 and 2 showed remarkable catalytic performance for cyanosilylation of various aldehydes and ketones, giving the corresponding cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers with high yields in short time. In particular, with 0.1 mol% loading of 1, the turnover frequency (515.5 h−1) for the cyanosilylation of benzaldehyde was higher than those of previously reported heterogeneous polyoxometalates catalysts.

Potential toxicity of cyanogenic glycosides arises from enzymatic degradation to produce hydrogen cyanide. Information on the metabolism of cyanogenic glycosides is available from in vitro, animal and human studies. In the absence of β-glucosidase enzymes from the source plant material, two processes appear to contribute to the production of cyanide from cyanogenic glycosides; the proportion of the glycoside dose that reaches the large intestine, where most of the bacterial hydrolysis occurs, and the rate of hydrolysis of cyanogenic glycosides to cyanohydrin and cyanide. Some cyanogenic glycosides, such as prunasin, are actively absorbed in the jejunum by utilising the epithelial sodium-dependent monosaccharide transporter (SGLT1). The rate of cyanide production from cyanogenic glycosides due to bacterial β-glycosidase activity depends on; the sugar moiety in the molecule and the stability of the intermediate cyanohydrin following hydrolysis by bacterial β-glucosidase. Cyanogenic glycosides with a gentiobiose sugar, amygdalin, linustatin, and neolinustatin, undergo a two stage hydrolysis, with gentiobiose initially being hydrolysed to glucose to form prunasin, linamarin and lotaustralin, respectively. While the overall impact of these metabolic factors is difficult to predict, the toxicity of cyanogenic glycosides will be less than the toxicity suggested by their theoretical hydrocyanic acid equivalents.

We report 4-(2-(5-(tert-butyl)-3-formyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-1-yl)benzoic acid 1 and 4-(2-(5-(tert-butyl)-3-formyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzoic acid 2 as reversible luminescent sensors for the detection of cyanide and mercury ions. These imidazole derivatives were characterized using spectroscopic techniques and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The compounds showed sensing exclusively towards CN− ions, which resulted in the quenching of fluorescence and a decreased singlet state life time. The detection limit of imidazole derivatives 1 and 2 were found to be 0.8 μM and 1.2 μM respectively, in a CH3CN/H2O system. Job's plot analysis, 1H NMR spectra and LC-MS studies supported the formation of the respective cyanohydrin. This cyanohydrin was further used as a reversible sensor for the detection of Hg2+ ions through metal-assisted elimination. The reversibility and reusability of sensors for the detection of CN− and Hg2+ ions were tested for four consecutive cycles.

The leaves of Nandina domestica Thunb. exhibited high hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) activity in (R)-mandelonitrile synthesis. The specific activity of young leaves was significantly higher than that of mature leaves. We isolated two HNLs with molecular mass of 24.9 kDa (NdHNL-S) and 28.0 kDa (NdHNL-L) from the young leaves. Both NdHNLs were composed of two identical subunits, without FAD and carbohydrates. We purified NdHNL-L and revealed its enzymatic properties. The whole deduced amino acid sequence of NdHNL-L was not homologous to any other HNLs, and the specific activity for mandelonitrile synthesis by NdHNL-L was higher than that by other plant HNLs. The enzyme catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of (R)-cyanohydrins, exhibited high activity at pH 4.0, and high stability in the pH range of 3.5–8.0 and below 55°C. Thus, NdHNL-L is a novel HNL with novel amino acid sequence and has a potential for the efficient production of (R)-cyanohydrins. Leaves of Nandina domestica Thunb. showing high R-hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) activity.

We report the first application of Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) as efficient and novel heterogeneous catalyst for the cyanosilylation of aldehydes with excellent yields and simple work up. The reaction between different aldehydes with electron-withdrawing and releasing groups and trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) proceeds in dry CH2Cl2 at room temperature in the presence of Mg-Al-Cu LDH. The catalyst recycled and reused for four times without loss of catalytic activity. The structures of all compounds were corroborated spectroscopically (1H- and 13C-NMR, and elemental analysis). A plausible mechanism for this type of reaction is proposed.

Cyanohydrin derivatives as enterovirus 71 (EV71) 3C protease (3C(pro)) inhibitors have been synthesized and assayed for their biochemical and antiviral activities. Compared with the reported inhibitors, cyanohydrins (1S,2S,2'S,5S)-16 and (1R,2S,2'S,5S)-16 exhibited significantly improved activity and attractive selectivity profiles against other proteases, which were a result of the specific interactions between the cyanohydrin moiety and the catalytic site of 3C(pro). Cyanohydrin as an anchoring group with high selectivity and excellent inhibitory activity represents a useful choice for cysteine protease inhibitors.

A highly regio- and stereospecific rhodium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of tertiary allylic carbonates with alkenyl cyanohydrin pronucleophiles is described. This protocol offers a fundamentally novel approach toward the synthesis of acyclic quaternary-substituted α,β-unsaturated ketones and thereby provides a new cross-coupling strategy for target directed synthesis. A particularly attractive feature with this process is the ability to directly couple di-, tri- and tetrasubstituted alkenyl cyanohydrin pronucleophiles to prepare the corresponding α,β-unsaturated ketone derivatives in a highly selective manner. Additionally, the chemoselective 1,4-reduction of the enone products provides rapid access to acyclic enantiomerically enriched α,α'-dialkyl-substituted ketones, which are challenging motifs to prepare using conventional enolate alkylation.

A mechanistic investigation, which included a Hammett correlation analysis, evaluation of the effect of variation of catalyst composition, and low-temperature NMR spectroscopy studies, of the Lewis acid-Lewis base catalyzed addition of acetyl cyanide to prochiral aldehydes provides support for a reaction route that involves Lewis base activation of the acyl cyanide with formation of a potent acylating agent and cyanide ion. The cyanide ion adds to the carbonyl group of the Lewis acid activated aldehyde. O-Acylation by the acylated Lewis base to form the final cyanohydrin ester occurs prior to decomplexation from titanium. For less reactive aldehydes, the addition of cyanide is the rate-determining step, whereas, for more reactive, electron-deficient aldehydes, cyanide addition is rapid and reversible and is followed by rate-limiting acylation. The resting state of the catalyst lies outside the catalytic cycle and is believed to be a monomeric titanium complex with two alcoholate ligands, which only slowly converts into the product.

Synchronous metabolic oscillations can be induced in yeast by addition of glucose and removal of extracellular acetaldehyde (ACAx). Compared to other means of ACAx removal, cyanide robustly induces oscillations, indicating additional cyanide reactions besides ACA to lactonitrile conversion. Here, (13)C NMR is used to confirm our previous hypothesis, that cyanide directly affects glycolytic fluxes through reaction with carbonyl-containing compounds. Intracellularly, at least 3 cyanohydrins were identified. Extracellularly, all signals could be identified and lactonitrile was found to account for ~66% of total cyanide removal. Simulations of our updated computational model show that intracellular cyanide reactions increase the amplitude of oscillations and that cyanide addition lowers [ACA] instantaneously. We conclude that cyanide provides the following means of inducing global oscillations: a) by reducing [ACAx] relative to oscillation amplitude, b) by targeting multiple intracellular carbonyl compounds during fermentation, and c) by acting as a phase resetting stimulus.

L-Idofuranoside cyanohydrin 1 is converted on large scale into a mixture of L-IdoA methyl pyranosides and furanosides, which is converged to provide short 2-step routes to bicyclic [3.2.1] or [2.2.2] L-iduronate lactones. The former is obtained via a 100 g scale synthesis of 3-OBn L-IdoA. A two-step conversion of this mixture provides either pure anomer of the novel [2.2.2] l-iduronate thioglycoside lactones. Both [3.2.1] and [2.2.2] lactones are converted into GlcN-IdoA heparin precursor disaccharides. The [2.2.2] lactone enables a scalable 3-step route from 1 to a new type of highly disarmed O-4 iduronate thioglycoside, which is an effective acceptor with glucoazide thioglycoside donors. The resulting new iduronic [2.2.2] lactone disaccharides are readily rearmed by mild methanolysis to provide GlcN-IdoA thiophenyl disaccharide donors, intercepting their established utility for the assembly of both heparin- and heparan sulfate-like oligosaccharides. The [2.2.2] lactonization acts as a conformational switch to superdisarm iduronate components, reversible by lactone ring opening. In addition, the separated 2,4-diacetates also provide short access to all four anomeric and ring size isomers of l-iduronic acid methyl glycosides, including the first syntheses of the parent idofuranosides. X-ray structures are reported for a [2.2.2] iduronate lactone and examples of both methyl L-idopyranoside and novel methyl-L-idofuranoside systems.

A chemoenzymatic two-step cascade process, with both steps having incompatible reaction conditions, was successfully performed in continuous flow. The chemoenzymatic aqueous formation of cyanohydrins was integrated with a subsequent organic phase protection step in a single flow process utilising a membrane-based phase separation module. The wider applicability of our setup was demonstrated with the synthesis of nine protected cyanohydrin derivatives, all obtained in good yields and high to excellent enantioselectivity.