Abstract
An efficient and convenient Strecker-type addition of various substituted aromatic acetals, heteroaromatic acetals and α, β-unsaturated acetals with trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) is achieved catalyzed by 10 mol% of MgI2 etherate (MgI2•(Et2O)n) in a mild, and high chemoselective manner with good to excellent yields. A non-coordinating reaction media (i.e., CH2Cl2) played a vital role in this catalytic process.