Imidazole Hydrochloride Promoted Synthesis of Nitriles from Aldehydes

In conclusion, we developed a new synthetic method for nitrile compounds from aldehydes. Twenty seven examples of functionalized nitrile compounds have been synthesized in good to excellent yields. This methodology features that an environmentally benign imidazole hydrochloride replaces transition metal catalysts and oxidants required in conventional strategies to convert aldehydes into nitriles with good functional group tolerability. Further exploration of imidazole hydrochloride is ongoing in our laboratory.