Cobalt-Catalyzed Selective Hydrogenation of Nitriles to Secondary Imines

The first example of cobalt-catalyzed selective hydrogenation of nitriles to secondary imines is reported. The results demonstrate the significantly different selectivity compared with the previously reported cobalt catalytic system during the nitrile hydrogenation. A variety of aromatic and aliphatic nitriles are hydrogenated to the corresponding secondary imines.