Selective hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines catalyzed by a novel iron complex.

Hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines constitutes an atom-efficient and environmentally benign synthetic reaction. Herein we present a novel complex based on earth-abundant iron, and its application in the catalytic homogeneous hydrogenation of (hetero)aromatic, benzylic, and aliphatic nitriles to selectively form primary amines.