Cannabis Sativa

Mandelonitrile[1]
Skeletal formula
Ball-and-stick model
Names
IUPAC name
2-Hydroxy-2-phenylacetonitrile
Other names
α-Hydroxybenzeneacetonitrile
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
2207122
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.007.758 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 208-532-7
1684586
KEGG
UNII
UN number 2810
  • InChI=1S/C8H7NO/c9-6-8(10)7-4-2-1-3-5-7/h1-5,8,10H checkY
    Key: NNICRUQPODTGRU-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C8H7NO/c9-6-8(10)7-4-2-1-3-5-7/h1-5,8,10H
    Key: NNICRUQPODTGRU-UHFFFAOYAG
  • N#CC(O)c1ccccc1
Properties
C8H7NO
Molar mass 133.150 g·mol−1
Density 1.117 g/mL
Melting point 22 °C (72 °F; 295 K) (R/S)[2]
Boiling point 282.70 °C (540.86 °F; 555.85 K) Decomposes[2]
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
toxic
Flash point 113 °C (235 °F; 386 K)
Related compounds
Related compounds
mandelic acid, phenylacetonitrile
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

In organic chemistry, mandelonitrile is the nitrile of mandelic acid, or the cyanohydrin derivative of benzaldehyde. Small amounts of mandelonitrile occur in the pits of some fruits.

Occurrence[edit]

Mandelonitrile is the aglycone part of the cyanogenic glycosides prunasin and amygdalin.

The naturally occurring (R)-(+) enantiomer finds use as an intermediate in the preparation of optically active α-hydroxy carboxylic acids, α-hydroxy aldehydes, α-hydroxy ketones, and 2-amino alcohols.[3]

Mandelonitrile can break down into cyanide and benzaldehyde, a reaction that can be catalyzed by the enzyme mandelonitrile lyase.

Preparation[edit]

Racemic mandelonitrile may be prepared similar to many other cyanohydrins. In a one pot reaction, benzaldehyde is reacted with sodium bisulfite to give the corresponding adduct, which further reacts with aqueous sodium cyanide to give the racemic product:[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sigma-Aldrich product page
  2. ^ a b The Merck Index (12th ed.). 1996.
  3. ^ Kruse, C.G. In Collins, A.N. Sheldrake, G.N. Crosby, J., Eds. Chirality in Industry Chichester, UK , (1992), 279
  4. ^ Corson, B. B.; Dodge, R. A.; Harris, S. A.; Yeaw, J. S. (1941). "Mandelic Acid". Organic Syntheses; Collected Volumes, vol. 1, p. 336.

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