Dibutyltin Dimethoxide-Catalyzed Cyano Transfer to Aldehydes and Imines

A novel reaction involving cyano transfer from benzophenone cyanohydrin to aldehydes and imines was realized by using dibutyltin dimethoxide as a catalyst. Various cyanohydrins and alpha-amino nitriles were obtained in moderate to high yields by this reaction. Ketimines also showed remarkable reactivity as cyano acceptors under conventional reaction conditions. This catalytic reaction was further applied to a three-component condensation reaction of aldehydes, aniline, and benzophenone cyanohydrin in the presence of Drierite (R).