Poly(amic acid) salt-stabilized silver nanoparticles as efficient and recyclable quasi-homogeneous catalysts for the aqueous hydration of nitriles to amides

Water-soluble silver nanoparticles stabilized by poly(amic acid) salt (Ag-PAAS) were synthesized by a one-pot method and were characterized by using UV-vis absorption, transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and xi potential measurements. The Ag-PAAS catalyzed selective hydration of nitriles to amides in water allowed for not only highly efficient quasi-homogeneous catalytic reactions under mild conditions, but also an easy recovery and reuse of the catalyst attributed to the pH response of the PAAS.