Abstract

A cyanohydrin is an organic compound that contains both a cyanide and a hydroxy group on an aliphatic section of the molecule. Cyanohydrins are usually -hydroxy nitriles which are the products of addition of hydrogen cyanide to the carbonyl group of aldehydes and ketones. The outstanding chemical property of cyanohydrins is the ready conversion to -hydroxy acids and derivatives, especially -amino and unsaturated acids. Cyanohydrins are highly toxic by inhalation or ingestion and moderately toxic through skin absorption. Cyanohydrins are used primarily as intermediates in the production of other chemicals. Manufacture of methyl methacrylate, used to make acrylic molding resins and clear sheet from acetone cyanohydrin, is the most economically important cyanohydrin process.