Introduction. – α-Amino nitriles are important intermediates in the preparation of amino acids [1] and various nitrogen heterocycles [2] such as imidazoles and thiadiazoles. They are generally prepared by nucleophilic addition of the cyanide anion (CNÀ) to imines (Strecker-type reaction). Several modifications of the Strecker reaction have been reported with a variety of cyanating agents such as HCN [3], KCN [4], Et2AlCN [5], (EtO)2P(O)CN [6], Bu3SnCN [7], ...
