PURPOSE: To prevent the decomposition of a mandelonitrile compound and discoloration of a reaction liquid containing a mandelonitrile compound and to enable the transportation and long-term storage of the reaction liquid by adjusting the water concentration of the reaction liquid and adding a specific acid to the liquid.
CONSTITUTION: A reaction liquid containing a mandelonitrile compound of formula II is produced by reacting a benzaldehyde compound of formula I (X is H, halogen, OH, alkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl, amino, nitro, phenyl or phenoxy substituted on o-, m- or p-site) with hydrocyanic acid in the presence of an alkali catalyst. The mandelonitrile compound is stabilized by adjusting the water-concentration of the reaction liquid to 1-15wt.% and adding at least one kind of acid selected from p-toluenesulfonic acid, oxalic acid and inorganic acid (excluding phosphoric acid) to the reaction liquid. Even a color developed during the reaction can be faded by this process. The mandelonitrile compound is useful as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and raw materials for antibacterial agent and optical resolution agent.
SAKAI HARUO
SATO TAKASHIO
ENDO RYUICHI
JPS5892648A | 1983-06-02 |