The Strecker amino acid synthesis generates an α-amino acid from hydrogen cyanide, water, an aldehyde or ketone, and a 1° amine or ammonia. The carbonyl compound is first converted to an iminium ion, which is attacked by the cyanide ion to form an α-amino nitrile intermediate. Hydrolysis of the nitrile yields the α-amino acid.
- Reagents: Hydrogen or Alkali Cyanide (KCN, NaCN) in Buffered Aqueous Media, Water
- Reactant: Aliphatic/Aryl Ketone or Aldehyde, 1° or 2° Amine or Ammonia
- Product: α-Amino Acid
- Type of Reaction: Condensation
Mechanism
Top Citations
Original Paper
Related Reactions
- Bucherer-Bergs Reaction
- Petasis-Reaction
- Multicompornent Reactions
- Synthesis of α-aminonitriles
Related Compounds
- Ketone
- Aldehyde
- Ammonia (CAS 7664-41-7)
- Catalytic Acid
- Metal Cyanide
