Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aminonitrile by partially hydrogenating a nitrile compound with two or more nitrile groups in the presence of a catalyst which contains a metal from group 8 of the periodic system of the elements, the hydrogenation being carried out under water-free reaction conditions and the catalyst having been treated with an alkanolate. Preferably, the catalyst is a Raney nickel or Raney cobalt catalyst which has been pretreated with an alkali metal alkanolate or an earth alkali metal alkanolate such as sodium or potassium methanolate.

Abstract: Aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-aminonitriles are prepared by partial hydrogenation of aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitriles at elevated temperatures and superatmospheric pressure in the presence of a solvent and of a catalyst, by a process in which the catalyst used is obtainable by thermal decomposition of a metal compound selected from the group consisting of metal carbonyl compounds, metal salts of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -carboxylic acids and C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 -dicarboxylic acids and metal complexes with diketones to give the corresponding metal and/or a metal oxide thereof, with the proviso that the metal used is nickel or cobalt.

Abstract: Aliphatic alpha, omega-aminonitriles are prepared by partial hydrogenation of aliphatic alpha, omega-dinitriles at elevated temperatures and superatmospheric pressure in the presence of a solvent and of a catalyst by a process which comprises using a catalyst which(a) contains a compound based on a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron, ruthenium and rhodium and(b) contains from 0.

Abstract: Aliphatic alpha,omega-aminonitriles are prepared by partial hydrogenation of aliphatic alpha,omega-dinitriles at elevated temperatures and superatmospheric pressure in the presence of a base and of a hydrogenation catalyst, by carrying out the hydrogenation in the presence of ammonia and lithium hydroxide or of a compound which gives lithium hydroxide during the hydrogenation.

Abstract: Aliphatic alpha,omega-aminonitriles are prepared by partial hydrogenation of aliphatic alpha,omega-dinitriles at elevated temperatures in the presence of a catalyst in the gas phase by a process which comprises carrying out the hydrogenation with a catalyst based on at least one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, ruthenium and rhodium and with the proviso that the catalyst is not a powder.

Abstract: A process for preparing 5-cyanovaleramide by reacting adiponitrile with water at from 50.degree. to 200.degree. C. in the presence of a supported unionized-copper catalyst comprises employing from 1 to 15 mol of water per mole of adiponitrile and a residence time of from 5 to 60 minutes.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of adiponitrile to 6-aminocapronitrile in high yield and high selectivity using Raney nickel catalyst and a reaction mixture containing a low valent transition metal complex.

Abstract: A process for preparing mixtures of 3-aminopropionitrile of the formula IH.sub.2 N--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CN (I)and ethylene cyanohydrin of the formula IIHO--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CN (II)comprises reacting bis(2-cyanoethyl) ether of the formula IIINC--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CN (III)with ammonia at from 50 to 170.degree. C. and under from 1 to 500 bar thermally or in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst.

Abstract: Selective hydrogenation of aliphatic dinitriles to aminonitriles is achieved under low pressure with high yield preferably using a Raney nickel or Raney colbalt-containing catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing .alpha.-formylamino nitriles of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each hydrogen or unsubstituted or substituted, with substituents which are inert under the reaction conditions, aliphatic or heteroaliphatic radicals with 1 to 10, cycloaliphatic or heterocycloaliphatic radicals with 3 to 6, araliphatic radicals with 7 to 12, heteroaraliphatic radicals with 4 to 12, aromatic radicals with 6 to 10 or heteroaromatic radicals with 3 to 10 carbon atoms, by reacting cyanohydrins of the formula II ##STR2## with the formamide III ##STR3## in the presence of acids, entails adding at least one ammonium salt to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The hydrogenation of olefins containing nitrile groups in the homogeneous phase can be carried out particularly successfully using specific ruthenium complexes which are non-sensitive to air and have high catalytic activity.

Abstract: The selective hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds which carry reducible groups containing nitrogen succeeds in a homogeneous phase with the preservation of the reducible groups containing nitrogen, characterized in that a compound of the formulaRuH.sub.2n L.sub.5-nis used as a catalyst, in whichL signifies a phosphane or arsane andn signifies 1 or 2.

Abstract: Carbon-carbon double bonds are hydrogenated selectively in a compound containing a reducible, nitrogen-containing group if the hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of a ruthenium complex catalyst. Also disclosed are new ruthenium complexes for use in such selective hydrogenation.

Abstract: A dinitrile is hydrogenated to an omega-aminonitrile with hydrogen with a supported highly dispersed rhodium catalyst and only ammonia present. The catalyst is prepared by hydrolyzing a rhodium(III) halide or nitrate with strong aqueous base at elevated temperatures, drying the supported rhodium hydroxide at elevated temperatures and intimately contacting with hydrogen the dried product with hydrogen at 260.degree.-360.degree. C. High conversions, selectivity to aminonitrile and long catalyst service times and catalyst recyclability are achieved in the absence of an aprotic solvent.

Abstract: The selective hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds which carry reducible groups containing nitrogen succeeds in a homogeneous phase with the preservation of the reducible groups containing nitrogen, characterized in that a compound of the formulaRuH.sub.2n L.sub.5-nis used as a catalyst, in whichL signifies a phosphane or arsane andn signifies 1 or 2.