Application of supported lanthanum catalysts in the hydrogenation of nitriles

Nickel and lanthanum on MgO or MgO–Al2O3 catalysts were prepared and characterized. The applicability of the catalysts was studied in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of benzonitrile. A La/MgO catalyst showed surprisingly high activity and selectivity. The scope of the reaction was extended to other nitriles (benzyl cyanide, cinnamonitrile, adiponitrile) over this La/MgO catalyst.

Cu-catalyzed aerobic oxidative C–CN bond cleavage of benzyl cyanide for the synthesis of primary amides

Cu-catalyzed oxidative amidation of benzyl cyanide for primary amides is successfully developed. Using readily available NH4Cl and Cu/O2 catalytic oxidation system offers new opportunities for C–CN bond cleavage and primary amides bond formation.

Selective hydrogenation of benzyl cyanide to 2-phenylethylamine over a Pd/Al2O3 catalyst promoted by synergistic effects of CO2 and water

Synergistic effects of water and CO2 appear for the selective hydrogenation of benzyl cyanide to phenylethylamine in n-hexane over a Pd/Al2O3 catalyst with no catalyst deactivation.

Synthesis of benzoyl cyanide through aerobic photooxidation of benzyl cyanide using carbon tetrabromide as a catalyst

We developed a synthetic method toward benzoyl cyanide through aerobic photooxidation of benzyl cyanide in the presence of carbon tetrabromide under visible light irradiation with fluorescent lamps.

Copper-mediated three-component synthesis of 3-cyanoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

A copper-mediated three-component approach towards the synthesis of 3-cyanoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from 2-aminopyridines, acetophenones and benzyl cyanide was developed. This cascade reaction proceeds through a copper-mediated oxidative release of cyanide from benzyl cyanide, a copper-mediated Ortoleva–King reaction, and a copper-catalyzed cyanation.