Cerium(III) chloride: A highly efficient reagent for the synthesis of alpha-aminonitriles

We report a highly efficient, one-pot, three-component condensation of carboryl compounds, amines, and TMSCN in MeCN; the reaction is significantly promoted by the catalytic amount of cerium(III) chloride at ambient temperature in excellent yields without any adverse effect on the other substituents. The method afforded an elegant alternative to the synthesis of alpha-aminonitriles. The reactions are fast and clean, and the products obtained are of high purity.