An Acetic Acid-PromotedStrecker Type Reaction of <i>N,N</i>-Disubstituted Aminomalononitriles:An Efficient Wayfor the Construction of α‑Aminonitriles

A Strecker type reaction between aldehydes and readily available <i>N,N</i>-disubstituted aminomalononitriles has been realized for the first time to give an alternative strategy for the synthesis of α-aminonitriles. This reaction features broad substrate scope and the use of water as solvent, and its utility has been supported by the formal synthesis of racemic Clopidogrel and a 3-aminoindole type of compound.