Synthesis of α-cyano tetrahydroisoquinolines with a quaternary center via Strecker reaction^a.

Entry	R1/R2	R3/X	R	Yieldb (%)
1	H/H	CH3/I	C6H5	93 (2a)
2	H/H	CH3/I	2-CH3C6H4	85 (2b)
3	H/H	CH3/I	3-CH3C6H4	99 (2c)
4	H/H	CH3/I	4-CH3C6H4	94 (2d)
5	H/H	CH3/I	4-FC6H4	88 (2e)
6	H/H	CH3/I	4-ClC6H4	94 (2f)
7	H/H	CH3/I	4-CH3OC6H4	92 (2g)
8	H/CH3	CH3/I	C6H5	95 (2h)
9	CH3/CH3	CH3/I	C6H5	93 (2i)
10	H/CH3O	CH3/I	C6H5	86 (2j)
11	H/H	CH3/I	CH3	87 (2k)
12	H/H	Et/I	C6H5	85 (2l)
13	H/H	CH3(CH2)9/I	C6H5	80 (2m)
14	H/H	Bn/Br	C6H5	85 (2n)

^aReaction conditions: 1 (0.5 mmol), TMSCN (1.0 mol), KF (1.0 mol), Na₂CO₃ (0.25 mmol), 3 mL of ClCH₂CH₂Cl, 48 h.

^bIsolated yield.