Catalytic Hydrogenation of Disubstituted Amino-acetonitriles and -propionitriles

Catalytic hydrogenation of (diethylamino) acetonitrile was carried out over Raney nickel W-7 catalyst and without a solvent. The desired N, N-diethylethylenediamine was obtained in a yield of about 40% of the theoretical. This method was adapted to other disubstituted amino-acetonitriles and -propionitriles such as dimethylamino, morpholino, and piperidino compounds. In contrast to the experiments previously reported, relatively moderate conditions were employed for the hydrogenation and the yields were more or less improved. Raney nickel W-7 catalyst may be the most suitable for the hydrogenation of this type of compounds.