Electroreduction of phenyl cyanide and benzyl cyanide on nickel cathode

An electrochemical method for preparation of primary amines from organic cyanides using nickel black deposited over graphite substrate as cathode has been studied. It has been observed that it is possible to reduce benzyl cyanide both in ethanolic sulphuric acid and in aqueous ethanolic ammonium sulphate media. But with phenyl cyanide, the reduction is efficient only in ethanolic sulphuric acid medium. Both in laboratory and 75 A scale experiments 62–66% yield has been obtained at a current efficiency of 36–44% for benzylamine. Similarly a yield ranging from 60–80% with a current efficiency of 36–52% has been obtained for β‐phenylethylamine both in laboratory scale and also in large scale experiments. Results of operation of a 500 A cell for the preparation of β‐phenylethylamine are also presented.