Almond oxynitrilase.catalyzed transformation of substituted aldehydes. Part 2

Different α- and β-alkyl substituted aldehydes (1-5) have been submitted to the catalytic action of almond oxynitrilase, in order to explore the influence of a stereocenter already present in the substrate molecule on the selectivity of this enzyme. The results indicate that substituents in α- position to the aldehyde group significantly influence the stereochemical outcome of the AON-catalyzed transformation, especially when they are of different size. On the other hand, the presence of a β-substituent seems to have little effect on AON selectivity.