Efficient, parallel synthesis of Strecker’s α-aminonitriles catalyzed by in-situ generated carbonic acid

[Display omitted] •Parallel, rapid, efficient, one-pot and three-component synthesis of α-aminonitriles.•Carbonic acid as a green catalyst generated in-situ at room temperature.•High yield, shorter reaction time, simple work-up procedure.•Method tolerates a variety of functional groups with a wide substrate scope.•Carbonic acid worked well as a catalyst with aliphatic ketone. A parallel, rapid, efficient, one-pot and three-component synthesis of α-aminonitriles designed for the Strecker reaction starting from the corresponding carbonyl compounds, amines, and trimethylsilyl cyanide catalyzed by carbonic acid produced in-situ from dry ice has been devised. Carbonic acid is a non-toxic and eco-friendly catalyst. Carbonic acid is readily accessible and does not leave any residual traces. The main advantages of the current method include high yields, a reduced reaction time, an easy experimental method, a simple workup procedure, and the suitability of the catalyst to withstand a wide range of substrate scopes. Various aldehydes and aliphatic ketone reacted well with aromatic amines to give Strecker product in a shorter reaction time in the presence of carbonic acid as a green catalyst. This provides economic and environmental benefits.