Au nanoparticle-catalyzed double hydrosilylation of nitriles by diethylsilane

We present the first example of Au-catalyzed reduction of nitriles into primary amines. In contrast to monohydrosilanes which are completely unreactive, diethylsilane (a dihydrosilane) is capable of reducing aryl or alkyl nitriles into primary amines under catalysis by Au nanoparticles supported on TiO₂, via a smooth double hydrosilylation pathway. The produced labile N-disilylamines are readily deprotected by HCl in Et₂O to form the hydrochloric salts of the corresponding amines in very good to excellent yields. The catalyst is recyclable and reusable at least in 5 consecutive runs.