The current method of hydration of cyanohydrins into α-hydroxyamides relies on a strong acid, and the byproduct of that strong acid requires pyrolysis to regenerate the acid. This conversion has high energy demands and generates a large amount of waste. Recent research has indicated that hydration of the nitrile functional group in amides could possibly be achieved with silver based catalysts. While using a catalyst for this reaction would seem straightforward, the loss of a cyanide group from the substrate can react with the metal catalyst. This results in the poisoning of the silver catalyst. Silver catalysts, including silver trifluoromethane complexes, were synthesized and investigated as potential catalysts for hydration.

Hydration of nitriles to amides using silver trifluoromethane complexes

255th National Meeting (2018)

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