| abstract |
In the process of hydrogenating aliphatic nitriles to primary amines whereby the nitrile is hydrogenated in a solvent system containing added ammonia using a cobalt or ruthenium catalyst, the improvement of employing an ether as solvent and carrying out the hydrogenation in the presence of water in an amount of from about 5% to about 15% by volume of the ether solvent whereby the rate of reaction is increased, and selectivity to primary amine products is increased. |