A combination of amides and 2-pyridinesulfonyl chloride was evaluated as synthons of the dication C (R1)–N (R2) 22+. When the substrates were primary amines, high yields of formamidines and amidines were obtained. When the substrates were α-aminoamides, α- aminonitriles were obtained. Through this process, naturally occurring α-aminoacids can be transformed into chiral α-aminonitriles with complete retention of stereochemical ...