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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R41767/01
Title: Catalysts, asymmetric synthesis of cyanohydrins.
Principal Investigator: North, Professor M
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Inst. Organoelement Chemistry
Department: Chemistry
Organisation: Kings College London
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 2001 Ends: 30 September 2004 Value (£): 92,996
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Catalysis & Applied Catalysis Chemical Synthetic Methodology
Combinatorial Chemistry
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
23 May 2001 Chemistry Single Panel May 2001 Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
Over the last seven years we have been developing new catalysts for the asymmetric conversion of carbonyl compounds and trimethylsilyl cyanide into cyanohydrins. Recently, we discovered a completely novel variation of this chemistry, namely that it is possible to use a mixture of potassium cyanide and an anhydride in place of trimethylsilyl cyanide. This discovery opens the way for the first industrially exploitable asymmetric synthesis of cyanohydrins and has been patented by King's College. In this proposal we will study the mechanism of this reaction and use the resulting information to optimize both the reaction conditions and the structure of the catalyst. A number of reaction parameters will be studied both for the mechanistic information that varying them provides, and to optimize the parameter. These include the structure of the catalyst, especially the nature of the transition metals, the structure of the anhydride, and the nature of any additives. One key question which we will seek to see to address is hoe the solid potassium cyanide is able to enter into the reaction solution, and in particular whether a metal salen complex is acting as a phase transfer catalyst in this reaction. We will then demonstrate the utility of our methodology by applying it to the solid phase asymmetric synthesis of cyanohydrins and derived compounds.
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