The classical Kiliani (cyanohydrin) reaction was studied by'% NMR and GLC. 13C NMR studies were facilitated by the use of [13C] cyanide and/or I3C-enriched aldoses. The effects of aldose configuration, carbon-chain length, and derivatization on the rate and extent of cyanide reaction and on the overall rate of aldononitrile disappearance were investigated. For the condensation of cyanide with D-erythrose, the reaction sequence at pH 10.5 or ...
