Assisted hydrolysis of the nitrile group of 2-aminoadamantane-2-carbonitrile

Attempts to hydrolyse the nitrile group of 2-aminoadamantane-2-carbonitrile by mineral acid or alkali have been unsuccessful. However, treatment of the aminonitrile with benzaldehyde in alkaline solution gives the benzal derivative of the α-aminoamide, readily hydrolysed to the α-aminoamide. Alternatively, benzoylation of the amino group followed by acid hydrolysis gives successively the α-benzamido acid and the α-amino acid. Possible mechanisms for these facilitated hydrolyses are advanced.