The reduction of nitriles using hydrogen and a metal catalyst

The reduction of nitriles using hydrogen and a metal catalyst The carbon-nitrogen triple bond in a nitrile can also be reduced by reaction with hydrogen  gas in the presence of a variety of metal catalysts. Commonly quoted catalysts are palladium, platinum or nickel. The reaction will take place at a raised temperature and pressure. It is impossible to give exact details because it will vary from catalyst to catalyst. For example, ethanenitrile can be reduced to ethylamine by reaction with hydrogen in the  presence of a palladium catalyst.