Metal-catalyzed nitrile hydration reactions: The specific contribution of ruthenium

•Catalytic nitrile hydration is a powerful tool to generate primary amides.•Ruthenium catalysts for nitrile hydration reactions are reviewed.•Heterogeneous systems are also covered.

The hydration of nitriles is an atom economical route to generate primary amides of great academic and industrial significance. From an academic perspective, considerable progress has been made toward the development of transition metal catalysts able to promote this hydration process under mild conditions. In this context, with regard to activity, selectivity, functional group compatibility and modes of reactivity, the most versatile nitrile hydration catalysts discovered to date are based on ruthenium complexes. Herein, a comprehensive account of the different homogeneous ruthenium catalysts described in the literature is presented. Heterogeneous ruthenium-based systems are also discussed.

Graphical abstractIn this review article, a comprehensive account of the application of ruthenium-based catalysts for the selective hydration of nitriles to amides is presented. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems are discussed.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide