Three-component coupling reactions in ionic liquids: a facile synthesis of a-aminonitriles

Aryl imines, derived in situ from aldehydes and amines, smoothly undergo addition with trimethylsilyl cyanide in 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquids under mild and neutral reac-tion conditions to afford the corresponding a-aminonitriles in excellent yields. The ionic liquids can be recycled in five to six runs without any apparent loss of activity