Methods for Direct Conversion of Primary Nitroalkanes to Nitriles

In recent years, reductive dehydration of primary nitro compounds has been demonstrated as an attractive and alternative approach for the direct synthesis of nitriles. Although scattered information on the conversion of alkyl nitrites and/or nitroalkanes to the corresponding nitriles has been reported in the literature, a research paper describing comprehensive information at one place is scarce. The present review has attempted to focus on the uncatalyzed as well as catalyzed reductive dehydration of nitro compounds directly into nitriles in the presence of dehydrating reagents. Non-metal and metal-catalyzed dehydration of nitro compounds and the use of radical chemistry in accessing nitriles have been highlighted in this review article.