Amorphous Fe_0.7Cu_0.3O_x as a Bifunctional Catalyst for Selective Hydration of Nitriles to Amides in Water

The development of sustainable and economical catalytic systems for the hydration of nitriles into amides is of great industrial significance. In this work, amorphous Fe_0.7Cu_0.3O_x-300, synthesized by a simple melting method, presented high activity for nitrile hydration in water, without any additives. Characterization and mechanism experiments indicated that the surface oxygen of amorphous Fe_0.7Cu_0.3O_x-300 acts as Brønsted base sites, enhancing the dissociation of H₂O. The Fe–Cu interaction within the catalyst facilitates the formation of active Fe species with higher valence states, serving as Lewis acidic sites for nitrile molecule adsorption and activation. Notably, amorphous Fe_0.7Cu_0.3O_x-300 achieved efficient synthesis of various aromatic, aliphatic, and heteroaromatic amides with high yields (20 products), also showcasing good scalability and stability. Moreover, the limited solubility of most amides in water further simplifies the process, allowing for simultaneous synthesis and purification. This study manifests the potential of amorphous Fe_0.7Cu_0.3O_x-300 for large-scale industrial applications in amide synthesis, aligned with the principles of sustainable chemistry.