Catalyst-free multicomponent Strecker reaction in acetonitrile

The multicomponent Strecker reaction using trimethylsilyl cyanide was accomplished without any type of Lewis acid. The reaction performed in acetonitrile as solvent gave excellent results for any class of aldehydes (aromatic or aliphatic), as well as amines (aromatic or aliphatic). In many cases, α-aminonitrile product was isolated pure after the usual work-up, with quantitative chemical yields. A comparison between different solvents indicated that acetonitrile is the best choice. The rate comparison using different Lewis acids showed that all of them catalyzed the reaction in a similar extent, the difference with the acid Lewis-free being minimal.