Nanoparticle-supported and magnetically recoverable ruthenium hydroxide catalyst: efficient hydration of nitriles to amides in aqueous medium.

Magnetic attraction not filtration: A magnetic nanoparticle-supported ruthenium hydroxide catalyst (see figure) was readily prepared from inexpensive starting materials and shown to catalyze the hydration of nitriles with excellent yield in a benign aqueous medium. Catalyst recovery using an external magnetic field, superior activity, and the inherent stability of the catalyst system are additional sustainable attributes of this protocol.