Almond oxynitrilase-catalyzed transformation of aldehydes is strongly influenced by naphthyl and alkoxy substituents

Different alpha- and beta-substituted aldehydes have been submitted to the catalytic action of almond oxynitrilase (PaHNL), in order to explore the in fluence of a stereocenter already present in the substrate on the selectivi ty of this enzyme.(1) The results indicate that naphthyl and alkoxy substit uents in the alpha- and also in the beta-position to the aldehyde group sig nificantly influence the stereochemical outcome of the PaHNL-catalyzed tran sformation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.