Reductive and catalytic monoalkylation of primary amines using nitriles as an alkylating reagent.

[reaction: see text] A selective and catalytic mono-N-alkylation method of both aromatic and aliphatic amines using nitriles as an alkylating agent with Pd/C or Rh/C as a catalyst is described. This method is particularly attractive to provide an environmentally benign and applicable alkylation method of amines without using toxic and corrosive alkylating agents such as alkyl halides and carbonyl compounds.