The Chemistry of Deprotonated α-Aminonitriles

This review highlights various aspects of the chemistry of the anions of alpha-aminonitriles. Their structural features and their characteristic reactivity are discussed, along with various methods for their preparation. Special emphasis is given to synthetic applications of deprotonated alpha-aminonitriles which have been used as valuable and readily accessible synthetic equivalents of acyl anions and alpha-aminocarbanions.