Investigation of nano NiO, supported and metal ion substituted NiO for selective hydration of aromatic nitriles to amides

• Mn/Co substitution in NiO enhances the catalytic activity.
• The oxide, Ni0.7Mn0.3O has emerged as efficient catalyst for hydration of nitriles.
• Presence of Mn3+ plays a vital role in catalytic activity.
• 2-Cyanopyridine has been converted to amide efficiently (96%, 2 h).

Freshly prepared nano NiO, NiO supported HAP, TiO2, ZrO2 and γ-Al2O3 and metal ion substituted nickel oxide (Ni1−xMxO, M = Co, Cu and Mn) have been tested for hydration of aromatic nitriles. Mn substituted compound of nominal composition, Ni0.7Mn0.3O was found to be the highly active catalyst. The reaction was carried out in autoclave using water as a solvent and the reaction time varied between 2 and 24 h for heterocyclic cyano nitriles to methyl benzonitriles.

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