Facile preparation of ruthenium nanoparticles with activity in hydrogenation of aliphatic and aromatic nitriles to amines

The thermal decomposition of [Ru-3(CO)(12)] allowed the production of ruthenium nanoparticles (NPs) with a unique activity for this metal in the hydrogenation of aliphatic nitriles, yielding the corresponding tertiary amines (selectivity 80%) and aromatic nitriles to secondary amines and imines at 140 degrees C, employing a moderate hydrogen pressure. The use of several stabilizing agents such as sodium dodecylsulfate and sodium 2-ethylhexanoate allowed the stabilization of ruthenium NPs (Ru-NPs), and further reactivity in the hydrogenation process was assessed. The Ru-NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and exhibited an average size of 2-3 nm. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.