Lewis base-catalyzed three-component Strecker reaction on water. An efficient manifold for the direct alpha-cyanoamination of ketones and aldehydes.

The first three-component organocatalyzed Strecker reaction operating on water has been developed. The manifold utilizes ketones (aldehydes) as the starting carbonyl component, aniline as the primary amine, acetyl cyanide as the cyanide source and N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine as the catalyst.