Application of supported lanthanum catalysts in the hydrogenation of nitriles

Abstract Nickel and lanthanum on MgO or MgO–Al 2 O 3 catalysts were prepared and characterized. The applicability of the catalysts was studied in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of benzonitrile. A La/MgO catalyst showed surprisingly high activity and selectivity. The scope of the reaction was extended to other nitriles (benzyl cyanide, cinnamonitrile, adiponitrile) over this La/MgO catalyst.