Selective Hydrogenation of Nitriles to Primary Amines Catalyzed by a Polysilane/SiO-Supported Palladium Catalyst under Continuous-Flow Conditions.

Hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines with heterogeneous catalysts under liquid-phase continuous-flow conditions is described. Newly developed polysilane/SiO-supported Pd was found to be an effective catalyst and various nitriles were converted into primary amine salts in almost quantitative yields under mild reaction conditions. Interestingly, a complex mixture was obtained under batch conditions.