Indium(III) iodide-mediated Strecker reaction in water: an efficient and environmentally friendly approach for the synthesis of α-aminonitrile via a three-component condensation

A mild, efficient and environmentally friendly method has been developed for the synthesis of α-aminonitriles via a three-component condensation of aldehyde, amine and TMSCN in the presence of a catalytic amount of indium(III) iodide in water. The reactions proceeded smoothly at room temperature in water to generate the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yields.