ABSTRACT An efficient Strecker-type reaction of nitrones with trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) catalyzed by MgI2 etherate has been achieved in a short time under mild condition. The condensations of aromatic nitrones, heterocyclic nitrones, and aliphatic nitrones with TMSCN are performed in good to excellent yields. Further dehydration of α-cyanohydroxylamine smoothly produced the α-imine nitrile in
Strecker-type reaction of nitrones using acetone cyanohydrin as a cyanide source was developed. By treating nitrones with acetone cyanohydrin in the presence of n-BuMgCl, transcyanation from the cyanohydrin to the nitrones smoothly proceeded in THF at 35 °C. The amount of n-BuMgCl could be reduced to 0.2 equiv to give the corresponding α-cyanohydroxylamines in up to 98% yields.