Catalytic, asymmetric synthesis of α-acetoxy amides

Non-racemic cyanohydrin acetates are readily available from aldehydes and potassium cyanide/acetic anhydride by use of bimetallic titanium (salen) catalyst 1. Treatment of the cyanohydrin acetates with a platinum(II) phosphinito catalyst 3 under neutral conditions results in chemoselective hydrolysis to the corresponding α-acetoxy amides in a racemization free process.