Catalytic, asymmetric cyanohydrin synthesis in propylene carbonate

Propylene carbonate can be used as a green solvent for asymmetric cyanohydrin synthesis catalyzed by VO(salen)NCS. A range of 10 aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes gave high enantioselectivities (up to 93%) and conversions (up to 100%) in reactions carried out at or near room temperature with reaction times of 24 h or less. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.