Gas-phase hydrogenation of propionitrile on copper-lanthanide oxides

Selective Hydrogenation of Nitriles to Primary Amines Catalyzed by a Polysilane/SiO2-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/SiO₂‐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. Lifetime experiments showed that this catalyst remained active for more than 300 h (TON≥10 000) without loss of selectivity and no metal leaching from the catalyst occurred. By using this continuous‐flow hydrogenation, synthesis of venlafaxine, an antidepressant drug, has been accomplished.

Isophthalonitrile (IPN) hydrogenation over K modified Ni–Co supported catalysts: catalyst characterization and performance evaluation

K modification suppressed both the original and the newly formed acid sites on the NiCo/Al₂O₃ catalyst, which were responsible for the condensation reactions in the IPN hydrogenation network.

Ceria-based solid catalysts for organic chemistry

Ceria has been the subject of thorough investigations, mainly because of its use as an active component of catalytic converters for the treatment of exhaust gases. However, ceria-based catalysts have also been developed for different applications in organic chemistry. The redox and acid-base properties of ceria, either alone or in the presence of transition metals, are important parameters that allow to activate complex organic molecules and to selectively orient their transformation. Pure ceria is used in several organic reactions, such as the dehydration of alcohols, the alkylation of aromatic compounds, ketone formation, and aldolization, and in redox reactions. Ceria-supported metal catalysts allow the hydrogenation of many unsaturated compounds. They can also be used for coupling or ring-opening reactions. Cerium atoms can be added as dopants to catalytic system or impregnated onto zeolites and mesoporous catalyst materials to improve their performances. This Review demonstrates that the exceptional surface (and sometimes bulk) properties of ceria make cerium-based catalysts very effective for a broad range of organic reactions.