Photocatalytic Oxidative Strecker-Type Reaction with Primary Amines, Tertiary Amines, and Cyanoarenes

A photocatalytic oxidative Strecker-type reaction incorporating tertiary amines, primary amines, and cyanoarenes was developed for the preparation of α-aminonitriles. Tertiary amines act as alternative starting materials to aldehydes in the conventional Strecker reaction, while cyanoarenes serve as both oxidants and cyanide sources. This strategy broadens the substrate scope beyond that of existing oxidative Strecker-type reactions. The developed method was applied in the synthesis of a drug precursor and an insecticide candidate.