Making Amines from Nitriles and Amides

Nitriles and amides can both be turned into amines by reduction. Nitriles are reduced to primary amines with reducing agents such as lithium aluminum hydride or by catalytic hydrogenation. In this reaction, the amino group is added with one extra carbon in the chain.

Nitriles are often made first...

Reduction of nitriles gives primary amines, while reduction of amides can give primary, secondary, and tertiary amines.

Nitriles are formed from alkyl halides through an S_N2 reaction involving an attack of the cyanide nucleophile. A further reduction by LiAlH₄ or catalytic hydrogenation forms the amine.

Since ...