Nanocrystalline copper(II) oxide-mediated Strecker reaction in water: An efficient and green method for preparation of α-aminonitriles

An environmentally benign and highly efficient procedure for the synthesis of α-aminonitriles by a direct three component Strecker reaction has been developed under green conditions in water in the presence of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles as a catalyst. The results of these reactions showed that copper oxide nanoparticles are very active catalyst and are able to activate the reactant at ambient temperature. The catalyst was found to be reusable for five cycles without appreciable loss in activity. The obtained nanocatalyst was characterized by TEM, BET and XRD techniques.