Stereoselective synthesis of chiral aminonitriles by multicomponent Strecker reaction

Multicomponent reactions have huge potential for the rapid generation of small molecules libraries. However, there is a continuous need for designing and carrying out the reactions with novel starting materials in organic synthesis]1[. Strecker reaction is one of the most important multicomponent reactions in organic chemistry for direct One-Pot synthesis of α-amino nitriles and other biologically relevant molecules]2[. Asymmetric strecker reaction could be done using chiral starting materials or chiral catalysts. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are mineral and synthetic materials with positively charged brucite type layers of mixed metal hydroxides. LDHs have technological importance in catalysis, separation technology, medical science and nanocomposite material engineering3. In this approach, we would like to introduce chiral α-amino nitriles as an intermediated for novel α-amino acids. The reaction was carried out in presence of catalytic amount of LDH. Herein, we wish to report diastereoselective synthesis of α-amino nitriles with 2 chiral centers.