Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing aliphatic alpha-omega amino nitriles in the presence of a catalyst composed of (a) iron or an iron based compound or a mixture thereof (b) 0.01 to 5 wt. %, in relation to (a), a promoter based on 2, 3, 4, or 5 elements selected from the group comprising aluminum, silicon, zirconium, titanium, and vanadium, and © to 0.5 wt. % in relation to (a) a compound based on an alkaline metal or alkaline-earth metal. The inventive method is characterized in that the aliphatic alpha-omega dinitrile contains 1.0 ppm or more phosphorus. Catalysts are obtainable through the reductive and optional successive passivation of magnetite, whereby the catalysts have a BET surface of 3 to 10 m2/g, a total pore volume of 0.05 to 0.2 ml/g, an average pore diameter of 0.03 to 0.1 mm and a pore volume portion in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 mm of 50 to 70%.