One-pot, solvent-free synthesis of α-aminonitriles under catalysis by magnesium bromide ethyl etherate

A three-component, efficient, and facile procedure has been developed for the synthesis of alpha-aminonitriles from aldehydes, amines, and trimethylsilyl cyanide using a catalytic amount of magnesium bromide ethyl etherate in the absence of solvent. Rapid formation of products is observed at room temperature in a one-pot procedure under very mild conditions giving excellent yields of the title compounds.