Addition of amines to nitriles catalyzed by ytterbium amides:: An efficient one-step synthesis of monosubstituted N-arylamidines

A one-step synthesis of monosubstituted N-arylamidinates via addition of amines to nitriles catalyzed by ytterbium amides is reported. The reactions with various substrates give the products in good to excellent yields with 5 mol % ytterbium at 100 degrees C under solvent-free conditions.