Enantioselective Strecker Reaction Catalyzed by an Organocatalyst Lacking a Hydrogen‐Bond‐Donor Function

Self-activation: N-Glycosyl imines A of planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophane carbaldehydes act as efficient enantioselective organocatalysts for the Strecker synthesis of α-amino nitriles, although they do not contain a hydrogen-bond donor or a Brønsted acid function. They activate themselves by deprotononation of hydrogen cyanide and catalyze the formation of both aliphatic and aromatic amino nitriles with high enantioselctivity.