cyclo [(S)-Phenylalanyl-(S)-histidyl](cyclo [(S)-Phe-@)-His], 1) catalyzes the addition of hydrogen cyanide to benzaldehyde in toluene at-20 OC to afford (R)-mandelonitrile with enantiomeric excess of 97% in high yield. cyclo [(R)-Phenylalanyl-(R)-histidyllgives (SI- mandelonitrile. cyclo [(SI-Phe-(&His](1) exhibits a broad substrate specificity, and a variety of aldehydes (3a-r) such as m-methoxybenzaldehyde (3c), 6-methoxy-2-naphthaldehyde (3k ...