Catalytic Hydration of Nitriles to Amides with Manganese Dioxide on Silica Gel

Abstract

Hydration of representative nitriles with silica gel supported manganese dioxide at the reflux temperature of hydrocarbon solvents gives the corresponding amides in good to excellent yield. Phenylacetonitrile, however, was partially oxidized to benzoylformamide. Other manganese catalyst systems were also evaluated.