Synthesis of Hydroxynitriles by N,N‐Dimethylformamide‐Stabilized Ruthenium Nanoparticles‐Catalyzed α‐Alkylation of Arylacetonitriles with Diols

To efficiently synthesize hydroxynitriles, arylacetonitriles were selectively α‐monoalkylated with diols, catalyzed using N , N ‐dimethylformamide‐stabilized ruthenium nanoparticles (NPs). The Ru NPs were stable in air and moisture and possessed high catalytic activity and selectivity, even at loadings as low as 0.3 mol%, without requiring the use of strong bases. The results of the control experiments suggested that excess diol enhanced the Ru NPs’ catalytic activity and that the reaction mechanism involved dehydrogenation, condensation, and hydrogenation pathways.