ABSTRACT
Cobalt-, nickel-, and iron-based systems under vigorous conditions, or platinum group metals under milder conditions, are useful heterogeneous catalysts for hydrogenation of nitriles to products including primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, and aldehydes and alcohols if water is present; the range of products results from imine intermediates. Homogeneous hydrogenation of nitriles is a much more difficult process as exemplified by reports on such selective hydrogenation of olefinic links in various nitrile rubbers, and the dearth of publications on effective, homogeneous hydrogenation of nitriles, particularly under mild condition. The secondary amine is perhaps formed by the sequence, while the remarkable difference in selectivity at differing [PhCN] could result from a negligible contribution from the biomolecular reaction between amine and imine at lower concentrations:.
