Beckmann rearrangement of aldoximes catalyzed by transition metal salts: Mechanistic aspects

The Beckmann rearrangement of aldoximes catalyzed by transition metal salts proceeds by a dehydration‐hydration reaction. A mechanism is proposed in which nitrile is bound to an oxime‐metal complex; subsequently, water (as OH− and H +) is transferred from oxime to nitrile in the ligand sphere of the metal, yielding nitrile and amide, respectively.