Layered double hydroxides (LDHs): As efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the cyanosilylation of aromatic aldehydes

We report the first application of Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) as efficient and novel heterogeneous catalyst for the cyanosilylation of aldehydes with excellent yields and simple work up. The reaction between different aldehydes with electron-withdrawing and releasing groups and trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) proceeds in dry CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature in the presence of Mg-Al-Cu LDH. The catalyst recycled and reused for four times without loss of catalytic activity. The structures of all compounds were corroborated spectroscopically (¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, and elemental analysis). A plausible mechanism for this type of reaction is proposed.