Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing succinonitrile by contacting acrylonitrile (ACN) with hydrocyanic acid (HCN) in a reactor in the presence of a tertiary amine. The invention also relates to the use of succinonitrile prepared according to the process of the invention, for preparing diaminobutane. Succinonitrile is prepared by contacting ACN with HCN in the presence of a tertiary amine and a compound chosen from the group consisting of water, aliphatic alcohols, aromatic alcohols, carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Process for the catalytic hydrogenation of a nitrite in the presence of an amine and a catalyst wherein the catalyst is a liquid-rinsed Raney-type catalyst contacted with a hydroxide prior to contacting the catalyst with the amine. The process results in higher selectivity in the formation of diamines from diniriles.