Various O-protected glycol-and racemic lactaldehydes 3 and 6 as well as O-allyl protected racemic α-hydroxyaldehydes 7 (R1= Et, Pr, Bu) have been prepared to investigate and perform a stereoselective Kiliani–Fischer synthesis by hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) catalyzed addition of HCN. From all protecting groups investigated the allyl moiety was most suitable.(R)-PaHNL from bitter almonds (Prunus amygdalus), yielding the (2S)- ...