Catalyzing Strecker Reaction by a Layered Double Hydroxide

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), have attracted attentions because of their layered structure and high anion-exchange capacity. Positively charged brucite-like layers with interlayer spaces containing anions and water molecules form LDHs structure. Overall structure of LDHs makes it suitable as a heterogeneous catalyst for organic reactions Strecker reaction is an important process in alpha-aminonitriles synthesis. alpha-Aminonitriles play key roles in pharmaceutical industry, especially in preparation of alpha-amino acid and the various nitrogen and sulfur containing heterocycles. Mentioned reaction can be mediated by homogenous catalysts with high yields. Although homogenous catalysts are highly efficient, they are expensive, toxic and need tedious work up. So heterogeneous catalysts such as molecular sieves, natural polymers, nano-sized materials and metal organic frameworks are some promising alternatives for this three-component reaction. In this study, we used LDH as a heterogeneous catalyst for Strecker reaction, which resulted in high yields and short reaction time.