A Novel and Efficient Method for the Synthesis of α−Aminonitriles by the Reaction of Aminals with Trimethylsilyl Cyanide Catalyzed by Iodine

Iodine, was found to be a practical and novel catalyst for the reaction of aminal and trimethylsilyl cyanide under mild and neutral reaction condition to afford the corresponding α-aminonitriles in high yields and short reaction times. Trimethylsilyl iodide derived in situ from elemental iodine and trimethylsillyl cyanide catalyzed this conversion