Strecker synthesis of α-aminonitriles using Au nanoparticles‏¬‏ capped with porous SiO2 shell (Au@pSiO2) as a highly efficient and recyclable nanostructured catalyst

Nano Au@porous SiO2 as a heterogeneous catalyst characterized by UV-Vis, XRD, TEM, and ICP-AES analysis. Amount of Au in Au@pSiO2 showed the 3.85% wt of Au in Au@porous SiO2 and the peak at 523 nm in UV-Vis spectrum dedicated to Au NPs. The prepared catalyst used in the condensations of various aldehydes and amines with smooth nucleophilic addition with trimethylsilyl cyanide through the one-pot three-component Strecker reaction for the preparation of α-aminonitrile derivatives in good to excellent yields at room temperature under solvent free reaction conditions. Short reaction periods, rapid access to products, ease of catalyst separation and simple workup, high chemical and thermal stability and reducing the leaching of the nanocatalyst into the environment are the important advantages of this nanocatalyst.