hüdroksinitriilide

Hydroxynitriles, also known as cyanohydrins, are a class of organic compounds that contain both a hydroxyl (-OH) group and a nitrile (-CN) group attached to the same carbon atom. They are formed through the addition reaction of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) to aldehydes or ketones. This reaction is typically catalyzed by a base.

The general formula for a hydroxynitrile is R1R2C(OH)CN, where R1 and R2 can be hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, or aryl groups. If R1 and R2 are both hydrogen, the compound is glycolonitrile. If one is hydrogen and the other is an alkyl or aryl group, it is derived from an aldehyde. If both R1 and R2 are alkyl or aryl groups, it is derived from a ketone.

Hydroxynitriles are important intermediates in organic synthesis. They can be hydrolyzed to form alpha-hydroxy acids, which are valuable in pharmaceuticals and other industries. They can also be reduced to form beta-amino alcohols. Furthermore, the nitrile group can undergo various transformations, allowing for the synthesis of a wide range of functionalized molecules.

The synthesis of hydroxynitriles is a reversible reaction, and the equilibrium position depends on factors such as pH and temperature. Due to the toxicity of hydrogen cyanide, these reactions are often carried out using less hazardous cyanide sources, such as sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide in the presence of an acid, or by using trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN).