Three unusual cyanohydrins, which might be formed by oxidative cleavage of
cyanogenins, have been isolated from Sambucus nigra. The structures of the
compounds have been defined on the basis of spectroscopic features and by c
hemical degradation. Unlike cyanogenins the title compounds do not have phy
totoxic effects and might be involved in the detoxification process of the
plant. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.