Phase Transfer Catalyzed Enantioselective Strecker Reactions of alpha-Amido Sulfones with Cyanoydrins

A study into the use of a chiral phase-transfer catalyst in conjunction with acetone cyanohydrin to effect the enantioselective formation of alpha-amino nitriles from alpha-amido sulfones is described. This novel catalytic asymmetric Strecker reaction is analyzed with regard to the possible mechanistic basis.