(R)-(-)-Hexahydromandelic acid

(R)-()-Hexahydromandelic acid can be used:

• As an intermediate in the synthesis of antimycobacterial compound pyridomycin analogs.
• As a model α-hydroxy acid compound in the chirality sensing studies of organic probes using circular dichroism technique.
• As a starting material in the synthesis of chiral ionic liquids, which are applicable as chiral solvents in asymmetric synthesis and as chiral stationary phases in chromatographic separations.

It forms hexagonal clusters on recrystallisation from CCl4 or Et2O. [Wood & Comley J Chem Soc 2638 1924, Lettré et al. Chem Ber 69 1594 1936]. The racemate has m 137.2-137.6o (134-135o) [Smith et al. J Am Chem Soc 71 3772 1949]. [Beilstein R-10 II 5; S-10 II 6.]