Mg-Al-O-Bu-t-Hydrotalcite: a mild and ecofriendly catalyst for the cyanoethylation of alcohols and thiols

Mg-Al-O-Bu-t-Hydrotalcite is found to be a mild and efficient catalyst for the cyanoethylation of alcohols and thiols in quantitative yields. Exclusiv e synthesis of 3-alkoxypropionitriles or 3-alkylmercaptopropionitriles is r ealised by compatible basic sites of Mg-Al-O-Bu-t-Hydrotalcite. The present ecofriendly catalytic system is a potential alternative to soluble bases.