02.04.2026
One of the long-standing and urgent challenges of modern chemistry has been solved by an international team of scientists, including researchers from VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava. The new type of catalyst they developed allows for the efficient conversion of stable amides into valuable amines, key compounds for the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and advanced materials.
The new process works for a wide range of substances, opening the way to more sustainable chemical and pharmaceutical production . The discovery was published in the journal Nature Communications , and the journal's editors ranked it among the most important articles in the field.
Hydrogenation of amides is one of the most challenging processes in organic synthesis and is therefore often referred to as a “dream” reaction. It is widely used both in research laboratories and in industry for the preparation of various types of amines, which are key building blocks of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, dyes, polymers and biomolecules. However, the reactions take place at high temperatures and pressures. Moreover, it is very difficult to achieve high selectivity – i.e. the preparation of specific types of amines with a sufficiently high yield. So far, a generally applicable procedure for the production of amines under mild conditions has not been described, despite the efforts of scientists in recent decades.
" In this work, we have introduced for the first time a 'green tool' for the reduction of primary amides to functionally and structurally diverse primary amines using molecular hydrogen as an available and environmentally friendly reducing agent. The development of a universal, selective and practically applicable methodology for such a fundamental chemical process represents a significant scientific milestone, which also explains its award in the prestigious journal Nature, " said one of the authors , Rajenahalli V. Jagadeesh , who works at the Materials-Environmental Laboratory (MEL) of the Center for Energy and Environmental Technologies of the University of Mining and Technology - Technical University of Ostrava and at the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis in Rostock, Germany.
The key to success was the development of a new catalyst that accelerates and directs the reactions. " A specially created ruthenium-based complex ensures a more efficient and selective course of this demanding reaction. It takes place at a significantly lower temperature and pressure than previous procedures, while ensuring high yields of target amines. The technology thus allows for a significant reduction in energy costs and the reduction of the cost of a large number of chemical and pharmaceutical productions ," explained another of the authors and head of the Materials and Environmental Laboratory, Radek Zbořil , who also works at the CATRIN Institute at Palacký University in Olomouc.
A great benefit is also the wide range of possibilities where the method can be used. " The method opens up new possibilities for the preparation of primary amines under mild conditions. It is suitable for the synthesis of amine compounds usable in pharmacy, polymer chemistry, agrochemistry, but also in the conversion of waste plastics based on amides. The technology thus offers interesting potential in the field of circular economy, " added Vishakha Goyal from MEL, a member of the author's team .
Joint research by German and Czech scientists has the potential to influence the industrial production of amines, which constitute a market worth tens of billions of dollars annually.
