Magnetic Niacin sulfonated: A highly efficient and green catalyst for synthesis of α-aminonitriles under solvent-free conditions

Vitamins are valuable natural small bimolecules which have been used as organocatalysts [1]. Some vitamins like Niacin can directly be used in supporting a metal owing to carboxyl functions in its structures and plays important roles for bind to surface magnetic nanoparticles [2,3]. Also, nitrogen atom in its structure can be easily sulfonated. Therefore, in continuation of our study on the use of organocatalysts in organic reactions and the immobilization of natural compounds on solid supports for the synthesis of a heterogeneous organocatalyst and extension of environmentally friendly methods, we design a strategy for the preparation of reusable magnetic organocatalyst via grafting Niacin on magnetic nanoparticles and employed it as an environmentally friendly and recyclable catalyst for one-pot synthesis of three-component via Strecker reaction, incorporating aldehydes/ketones, amines and trimethylsilyl cyanides (TMSCN), under solvent-free conditions. Operational simplicity, product purity, natural resources and reusability of the catalyst are considered as evident features of this protocol which will hopefully develop to an inexpensive, efficient, and clean strategy for the synthesis of α-aminonitriles.