In this study, the synthesis of some α-amino nitriles is reported. The compounds were prepared by the nucleophilic addition reaction of aldehydes and amines with TMSCN in the presence of a catalytic amount of H14[NaP5W30O110], Preyssler’s heteropoly acid, in excellent yields. The catalyst can be recovered and reused in subsequent reactions.
α-amino nitriles - heteropoly acids - TMSCN - trimethylsilyl cyanide