The Brønsted acid-catalyzed synthesis of nitriles is described via transoximation under mild conditions using an O-protected oxime as a more stable equivalent of explosive O-protected hydroxylamines. The nitrile was generated via an O-protected aldoxime produced from the aldehyde and an O-protected oxime through transoximation. The reaction could be performed on a 1 g scale.

Inspired by bio-synthesis, we demonstrate Brønsted acid catalyzed transoximation for the synthesis of oximes without using hydroxylamine salts in water.