Hydration of nitriles to amides using cupreous catalysts

Abstract

.[.Aliphatic nitriles.]. .Iadd.Olefinic nitriles of three to six carbon atoms .Iaddend.are converted to the corresponding amides by contacting the nitrile in the presence of water with a cupreous catalyst containing copper prepared by reducing copper hydroxide or a copper salt.

We claim: 
     
       1. In the process for converting an .[.aliphatic nitrile.]. .Iadd.olefinic nitrile of 3 to 6 carbon atoms .Iaddend.to the corresponding amide by reacting the nitrile with water in the presence of a catalyst, the improvement comprising conducting the reaction in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper prepared by reducing copper hydroxide or a copper salt. 
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is obtained from copper hydroxide or a copper salt having an anion containing nitrogen, sulfur or an organic carboxylic acid. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is obtained from copper nitrate, copper acetate, copper carbonate, copper oxalate, copper sulfide, copper chloride or copper hydroxide. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is obtained from copper nitrate, copper acetate or copper oxalate. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is prepared by a hydrogen reduction .Iadd.of copper nitrate, copper acetate, copper carbonate, copper hydroxide or copper oxalate .Iaddend.at a temperature of about 50° to about 500° C. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 5 wherein the temperature is about 150° to about 350° C. 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 1 wherein the copper hydroxide or copper salt is reduced with NaBH 4  or hydrazine in the liquid phase. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 1 wherein the reducing agent is an active metal. .[.9. The process of claim 1 wherein the nitrile is an olefinic nitrile of 
     
     
        three to six cabron atoms..]. 10. The process of claim 1 wherein the nitrile is acrylonitrile.