Abstract: A nitrile-containing mixture, which includes a nitrile dissolved in a higher alcohol solvent, and hydrogen are fed to a reactor containing a catalyst. An amine is produced by hydrogenating the nitrile that is dissolved in the higher alcohol solvent. In a preferred embodiment, the reactor also contains a caustic solution. The preferred nitrile-containing mixture includes octadecaneditrile (ODDN) and hexanol to produce a preferred octadecanediamine (ODDA) through hydrogenation.

Abstract: A cyclic ketone/alcohol mixture is prepared by catalytic oxidation of the corresponding cycloalkane or catalytic decomposition of the corresponding cycloalkyl hydroperoxide. Gold supported on a porous crystalline silicate containing less than about 2 wt. % aluminum or a crystalline phosphate is used as a catalyst. The support material optionally contains one or more heteroatoms.