| abstract |
Five, six and seven-member nitrogen-containing saturated heterocyclic compounds are prepared by the catalytic hydrogenation/cyclization of beta, gamma and delta- cyanoesters, in the presence of catalysts containing ruthenium and/or iron which give the desired product in high yield and with high selectivity. The conversion of methyl-3-cyano-propionate to pyrrolidone and methyl-5-cyanopropionate to caprolactam are particularly described. |