Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
Nitrile hydration and α-deuteration of amides catalyzed by a PCNHCP Mn(I) pincer complex
Rohit Kamte1, Ranjeesh Thenarukandiyil1, Kartick Dey1
1Schulich Faculty of Chemistry and the Resnick Sustainability Center for Catalysis, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa, 3200008, Israel. graham@technion.ac.il.
Abstract:
Amides are prevalent structural motifs in nature and important functional groups in synthetic organic chemistry. Amide synthesis typically requires harsh reaction conditions necessitating alternative strategies that are atom economic, catalytic, and easy to perform. Here we present the efficient hydration of nitriles, catalyzed by a manganese(I) PCNHCP pincer complex, that furnishes a diverse set of amides with excellent functional group compatibility. The reaction occurs at moderate temperatures (90 °C) and produce the corresponding amides in excellent yields (up to 99%). Deuterated amides can also be accessed via subsequent H/D exchange with D2O using the same catalyst.
More Related Videos
09:37Imine Metathesis by Silica-Supported Catalysts Using the Methodology of Surface Organometallic Chemistry
Published on: October 18, 2019
19:58Palladium N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Synthesis from Benzimidazolium Salts and Catalytic Activity in Carbon-carbon Bond-forming Reactions
Published on: July 30, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Preparation of Nitriles
Nitriles to Amines: LiAlH4 Reduction
As shown below, the mechanism involves three steps. Firstly, the hydride ion acting as a nucleophile attacks the nitrile carbon to form an anion. In the second step, a second equivalent of the hydride ion attacks the anion to...
Preparation of Amines: Reduction of Amides and Nitriles
Amides can be reduced to primary, secondary, and tertiary amines using catalytic hydrogenation, active metals like Fe,...
Nitriles to Carboxylic Acids: Hydrolysis
Aldehydes and Ketones with Amines: Imine Formation Mechanism
Imines are formed under mildly acidic conditions. A pH of 4.5 is ideal for the reaction.
If the pH is low or the solution is too acidic, the reaction slows down in the...
Aldehydes and Ketones with Amines: Imine and Enamine Formation Overview