FACILE SYNTHESIS OF ALPHA-AMINO NITRILES USING LANTHANIDE TRIFLATE ASA LEWIS-ACID CATALYST

In the presence of a catalytic amount of lanthanide triflate, imines r eacted with cyanotrimethylsilane (TMSCN) to afford alpha-amino nitrile s in excellent yields. Although some imines are difficult to prepare a nd purify, three-component reactions of aldehydes, amines, and TMSCN p roceeded smoothly. Effects of water in these reactions and application to asymmetric synthesis are also discussed.