Efficient synthesis of α-aminonitriles using ultrasonic irradiation

Strecker reaction1, the oldest known synthesis of α-aminonitriles, is one of the most general methods potentially useful for synthesis of aminoacids and other bioactive compounds including natural products. α-aminonitriles constitute a major class of naturally occurring compounds of great interest displaying remarkable biological activities.2 In recent years, several modifications have been reported using a variety of cyanating agents such as HCN, KCN, TMSCN, Bu3SnCN, MeCOCN.3 Herein, we report the synthesis of α-aminonitriles 3 from the reaction between amine 1 and aldehyde 2 in the presence of zinc cyanide by ultrasouics irradiation. This new methodology provides good to excellent yields in short reaction times (15-20 min) at room temperature. All the new synthesized compounds are stable solids whose structures were determined on the basis of their IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy data.

Keywords:

Strecker reaction , Amine , Aldehyde , Zn(CN)2 , Ultrasouics