Lipase from Porcine Pancreas: An Efficient Biocatalyst for the Synthesis of ortho-Aminocarbonitriles

Enzymatic processes are highly specific, green, operate at mild conditions and reduce environmental pollution in comparison to conventional hazardous chemical processes. Herein, we describe a new strategy for the synthesis of ortho-aminocarbonitriles by a multicomponent reaction of aromatic aldehydes, cyclohexanone and two equivalents of malononitrile at 40 degrees C. A new six-membered ring was constructed by breaking seven bonds while four new bonds were formed. The solvent, lipase quantity and reaction conditions were optimized. The advantages of this biocatalyst mediated synthesis of ortho-aminocarbonitriles comprised a one-pot procedure with simple operations and higher yields, which were reported for the first time by biocatalysis.