Dehydrogenation of Amines to Nitriles in Aqueous Micelles

An aqueous reaction medium, based on a surfactant solution of dimethyldodecylamine N ‐oxide (DDAO) has been developed for the oxidative dehydrogenation of primary amines using NiSO 4 as catalyst and K 2 S 2 O 8 as oxidant. This reaction medium enhances the rate of the reaction relative to other media previously reported in the literature, which are also toxic. The reactions of various aliphatic and cyclic amines have been investigated and gave nitriles with yields of >90 % in mild conditions. The aqueous surfactant solution and reagents were recycled for future use. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)