Synthesis of α-aminonitriles under mild catalytic, metal-free conditions

α-Aminonitriles have been synthesized by a Strecker synthesis from aldehydes and ketones under mild catalytic, metal-free conditions. Aromatic aldehydes (1 equiv) were reacted with aromatic and 1° or 2° aliphatic amines (1 equiv) in EtOH containing 3 mol % of NH4Cl to give high yields of α-aminonitriles. An alternative to adding NH4Cl as a catalyst involved the use of excess TMSCN (1 equiv) and to promote the process. The reaction was also successful under microwave conditions using excess TMSCN with no solvent. Ketones similarly reacted with aromatic amines and excess TMSCN under conventional and microwave heating, but 30 mol % of added NH4Cl was required for optimum conversion.