Chemoselective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated nitriles

The chemoselective hydrogenation of cinnamonitrile to 3-phenylallylamine proceeds with up to 80% selectivity at conversions of >90% with Raney cobalt and up to 60% selectivity with Raney nickel catalysts. Best results were obtained with a doped Raney cobalt catalyst (RaCo/Cr/Ni/Fe 2724) in ammonia saturated methanol at 100degreesC and 80 bar. Major problems are the formation of hydrocinnamonitrile and of secondary amines, and overreduction to 3-phenylpropylamine. Important parameters are the catalyst type and composition, the solvent type and the presence and concentration of ammonia. The catalytic system tolerates functional groups like OH, OMe, Cl, C=O, but not aromatic nitro groups. Preliminary experiments indicate that other unsaturated nitrites with di- or trisubstituted C=C bonds are also suitable substrates.