Selective synthesis of secondary amines from nitriles using Pt nanowires as a catalyst.

A new one-pot method has been developed for the selective synthesis of secondary amines via reductive amination of the corresponding nitriles using Pt nanowires as a catalyst. This method allows for the synthesis of both unsymmetrical and symmetrical secondary amines in excellent yields (up to 95%) in the presence or absence of additional amines, respectively. Furthermore, the reaction proceeds under mild conditions and is environmentally benign.