Highly efficient and convenient Strecker reaction of carbonyl compounds and amines with TMSCN catalyzed by MCM-41 anchored sulfonic acid as a recoverable catalyst

MCM-41 anchored sulfonic acid (MCM-41-SO3H) was found to be a highly efficient and recoverable heterogeneous catalyst for the three-component Strecker reaction of aldehydes or ketones and diverse amines using trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) to afford the corresponding α-amino nitriles under mild conditions in high to quantitative yields. The simple experimental procedure along with easy recovery and reusability of the catalyst has led to development of a clean and environmentally friendly approach for the synthesis of α-amino nitriles.