(R)-Oxynitrilase-catalyzed transformation of ω-hydroxyalkanals

Optically active aliphatic ω-hydroxycyanohydrins are valued materials in organic synthesis. We describe herein the effect of the different reaction parameters as organic solvent, temperature, concentration of enzyme or concentration of buffer in the (R)-oxynitrilase-catalyzed synthesis of optically enriched aliphatic ω-hydroxycyanohydrins from 4-hydroxybutanal and 5-hydroxypentanal.