Hydrogen transfer reduction of nitriles in DBU based ionic liquids

Raney nickel catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of nitrile was proposed, with formats as hydrogen donor.Three ionic liquids, includingwere prepared as reaction medium, and [DBUH + ][C 4 H 9 COO -] showed the best performance.Various nitriles were reduced with potassium formate as hydrogen donor, and considerable to excellent yields of amines were given.The ionic liquid can be used for 6 times at least, and the reaction process is clean.