Efficient synthesis and X-ray structures of new α-quinolin-3-yl-α-aminonitriles and derivatives

This study describes the synthesis of novel α-aminonitrile derivatives possessing a quinoline subunit via a Strecker reaction. Chiral α-methylbenzylamines were used to carry out the diastereoselective version of this sequence. Conversion of an enantiopure 2-chloroquinolin-3-yl derivative into the corresponding α-aminoester resulted in the concomitant formation of a 2(1H)-quinolinone moiety and a partial racemization. Single crystal X-ray structures are reported for three compounds.