Environment friendly protocol for the synthesis of nitriles from aldehydes

A rapid and eco-friendly one-pot protocol for the synthesis of nitriles has been developed by treating various araldehydes bearing electron withdrawing as well as electron donating groups with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of non-toxic, non-corrosive and reusable zinc oxide (ZnO) as the catalyst under solvent-free microwave irradiation. The present approach offers the advantages of a clean reaction, simple methodology, employing readily available catalyst, short reaction duration (<1 min), high selectivity; and high yield (90–98%).