Abstract:
Polyamides are prepared from a carbonitrile and an amine by reacting by heating a mixture of a carbonitrile which is a dinitrile, an equivalent amount of a primary or secondary amine which is a diamine, and at least a stoichiometric amount of water in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst. The catalyst is a complex containing at least one metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium and molybdenum, and at least one group selected from the group consisting of hydride, phosphine, carbonyl, ammonia, and hydroxyl. The polyamine has a recurring unit represented by the general formula: ##STR1##

Description:
This is a division of application Ser. No. 06/838,199 filed Mar. 7, 1986, for which U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,748 issued on Jan. 31, 1989, and which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 06/828,245 filed Feb. 11, 1986, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention. 
     This invention relates to a novel process for preparing amides from nitriles and amines, and more particularly to a process for preparing amides directly from nitriles and amines using ruthenium compounds, etc. as a catalyst, and further relates to a process for preparing polyamides directly from dinitriles and diamines or from aminonitriles. 2. Background of the Art. 
     Many kinds of amide compounds including polyamides have been developed and used in various industrial fields to date. These are particularly useful as materials for synthetic fibers and plastic molds, dyeability improvers or antistatic agents therefor, finishing or sizing agents for yarns and textiles, surfactants, coagulants, adhesives, organic solvents, plastics foaming agents, printing ink additives, dyestuffs, organic pigments, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, livestock feeds, intermediates thereof, etc. 
     Heretofore, when an amide was synthesized from a nitrile and an amine, a process in which the nitrile is hydrolized and thereby converted into carboxylic acid which is subsequently condensed with the amine has been generally adopted. 
     However, when such a conventional manufacturing process has been commercially practised, various problems have been encountered related to an increased number of process steps, separation of products in each step, equipment for preventing pollution caused by by-products, the cost of production, etc. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, differs from the conventional process and is directed to provision of a process with a minimal number of steps for synthesizing amides directly from nitriles and amines, whereby curtailment of reaction time, compaction of equipment and clean operations are realized. 
     Further, the present invention is aimed at developing the above-mentioned direct synthesis of amides into a direct synthesis of polyamides with similar advantages. 
     As a result of assiduous research to solve the aforementioned problems, we, the inventors, have unexpectedly found that these objects can be attained efficiently by using a catalyst, such as a ruthenium compound and the like, as explained hereinafter, and to accomplish the objects of the present invention. 
     Namely, the present invention is a novel process for preparing amides from nitriles and amines which comprises reacting by heating a mixture of a carbonitrile, an equivalent amount of a primary or secondary amine and at least the stoichiometric amount of water, to form an amide. 
     In this invention, the term &#34;carbonitrile&#34; or &#34;nitrile&#34; is intended to mean an organic compound having at least one cyano group in its molecule, and the term &#34;amine&#34; an organic compound having at least one amino group. Both the cyano group and the amino group may be comprised in one molecule, constituting an aminonitrile compound. Further, the term &#34;amide&#34; is intended to mean an organic compound having at least one amide linkage in its molecule, including a socalled polyamide. 
     The present invention includes the following three principal embodiments. 
     The first embodiment of the invention comprises reacting a nitrile represented by the general formula: 
     
         R.sup.1 CN 
    
     where R 1  denotes a monovalent residue of: a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon; a group derived from the said aliphatic hydrocarbon by substituting an aromatic group for its hydrogen atom; an alicyclic hydrocarbon; an aromatic hydrocarbon; a heterocycle; or an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a heterocyclic ring rest- or heteroatom-containing substituent, 
     with an amine and water, which amine is represented by the general formula 
     
         R.sup.2 R.sup.3 NH 
    
     where R 2  and R 3  are same with or different from each other and respectively denote hydrogen atom or a monovalent residue of: a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon; a group derived from the said aliphatic hydrocarbon by substituting an aromatic group for its hydrogen atom; an alicyclic hydrocarbon; an aromatic hydrocarbon; a heterocycle; or an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a heterocyclic ring rest- or heteroatom-containing substituent, and then R 2  and R 3  may be bridged by carbon atom or a heteroatom, forming a saturated or unsaturated ring, in the presence of a catalyst, to form an amide represented by the following general formula: ##STR2## 
     where R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are same as defined above. 
     More particularly, R 1  may denote an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group having up to 20 carbon atoms, or a monovalent residue of 3 to 7 membered heterocyclic group having in the ring up to 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, with a proviso that at least one hydrogen of the above group may be substituted with an aryl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having up to 12 carbon atoms, a monovalent residue of 3 to 7 membered heterocyclic group, OR, CO 2  R, NR 2 , SR, SiR 3  or CONR 2  group wherein R represents an optionally substituted alkyl group having up to 10 carbon atoms, or phenyl group. Further, R 2  and R 3  may be the same or different, and respectively represent a hydrogen atom or have the same meaning as R 1  previously defined, and then R 2  and R 3   may be bridged by a carbon atom or a heteroatom selected from O, N and S, forming a saturated or unsaturated ring. 
     Further, the second principal embodiment of the invention comprises reacting at least one dinitrile represented by the general formula: 
     
         R.sup.4 (CN).sub.2 
    
     where R 4  denotes a bivalent residue of: a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon; a group derived from the said aliphatic hydrocarbon by substituting an aromatic or heterocyclic ring rest- or a heteroatom-containing group for its hydrogen atom; an alicyclic hydrocarbon; an aromatic hydrocarbon; a heterocycle; or a group consisting of two aliphatic hydrocarbon moieties bridged by an aromatic group, heterocycle or heteroatom, 
     with at least one diamine and water, which diamine is represented by the general formula: 
     
         HN(R.sup.5)--R.sup.6 --(R.sup.7)NH 
    
     where R 5  and R 7  are same with or different from each other and respectively denote hydrogen atom or a monovalent residue of: a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon; a group derived from the said aliphatic hydrocarbon by substituting an aromatic group for its hydrogen atom; an alicyclic hydrocarbon; an aromatic hydrocarbon; a heterocycle; or an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a heterocyclic ring rest- or heteroatom-containing substituent, and R 6  denotes a bivalent residue of: a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon; a group derived from the said aliphatic hydrocarbon by substituting an aromatic or heterocyclic ring rest- or a heteroatom-containing group for its hydrogen atom; an alicyclic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, a heterocycle; or a group consisting of two aliphatic hydrocarbon moieties bridged by an aromatic group, heterocycle or heteroatom, 
     in the presence of a catalyst, to form a polyamide having a recurring unit represented by the following general formula: ##STR3## 
     where w is an integer and R 4 , R 5 , R 6  and R 7  are the same as defined above. 
     More particularly, R 4  may denote an alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, cycloalkylene or arylene group having up to 20 carbon atoms; a bivalent residue of 3 to 7 membered heterocyclic group having in the ring up to 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S; or a group consisting of two aliphatic hydrocarbon moieties each having up to 10 carbon atoms bridged by phenylene group; a bivalent residue of 3 to 7 membered heterocyclic group having in the ring up to 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, or such a heteroatom itself; with a proviso that at least one hydrogen of the above group may be substituted with an aryl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having up to 12 carbon atoms, a monovalent residue of 3 to 7 membered heterocyclic group, OR, CO 2  R, NR 2 , SR, SiR 3  or CONR 2  group where R represents an optionally substituted alkyl group having up to 10 carbon atoms, or phenyl group. Further, R 5  and R 7  may be the same or different, and respectively represent a hydrogen atom or have the same meaning as R 1  previously defined, and R 6  has the same meaning as R 4  previously defined. 
     Furthermore, the third embodiment of the invention comprises reacting at least one aminonitrile with water in the presence of a catalyst, said aminonitrile being represented by the following general formula: 
     HN(R 5 )--R 6  --CN 
     where R 5  denotes hydrogen atom or a monovalent residue of: a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon; a group derived from the said aliphatic hydrocarbon by substituting an aromatic group for its hydrogen atom; an alicyclic hydrocarbon; an aromatic hydrocarbon; a heterocycle; or an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a heterocyclic ring rest- or heteroatom-containing substituent, and R 6  denotes a bivalent residue of: a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon; a group derived from the said aliphatic hydrocarbon by substituting an aromatic or heterocyclic ring rest- or a heteroatom-containing group for its hydrogen atom; an alicyclic hydrocarbon; an aromatic hydrocarbon; a heterocycle; or a group consisting of two aliphatic hydrocarbon moieties bridged by an aromatic group, heterocycle or heteroatom, 
     to form a polyamide having a recurring unit represented by the following general formula: ##STR4## where y is an integer and R 5  and R 6  are the same as defined above. 
     More particularly, R 5  may represent a hydrogen atom or have the same meaning as R 1  previously defined. Further, R 6  may have the same meaning as R 4  previously defined. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As nitriles to be employed in the first embodiment, mention may be made of, for instance, acetonitrile, propionitrile, butyronitrile, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, 2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, 2-pentenenitrile, 3-pentenenitrile, cinnamonitrile, cyclohexanecarbonitrile, benzonitrile, 2-thiazolecarbonitrile, methoxyacetonitrile, etc. Further, when the reacting amine is a monoamine, nitriles having two or more eyano groups, such as 1,4-dicyanobutane, 1,6-dicyanohexane, methylglutaronitrile and the like may be included in the first embodiment. 
     As amines to be used in the first embodiment, mention may be made of, for instance, methylamine, ethylamine, butylamine, diethylamine, benzylamine, benzylmethylamine, cyclohexylamine, aniline, 2-benzofuranamine, anisidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine and the like. Further, when the reacting nitrile is a mononitrile, amines having two or more amino groups such as hexamethylenediamine, 1,2-diaminocyclohexane and piperazine having two amino groups, bis-hexamethylenetriamine having three amino groups and the like may be included in the first embodiment. 
     In the second embodiment, preferable dinitriles are alkylenedinitriles having the general formula: 
     
         NC(CH.sub.2).sub.n CN 
    
     where n is an integer ranging from 1 to 20, while preferable diamines are alkylenediamines having the general formula: 
     
         HN(R.sup.5)--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --NHR.sup.7 
    
     where m is an integer ranging from 1 to 20, and from those reactants are obtained polyamides having a recurring unit represented by the general formula: ##STR5## 
     wherein R 5  and R 7  are as defined hereinabove and x is an integer. 
     In the third embodiment, preferable aminonitriles are aminoalkylnitriles having the general formula: 
     
         NC(CH.sub.2).sub.l NHR.sup.5 
    
     where l is an integer ranging from 1 to 3 or from 5 to 20, from which will result polyamides having a recurring unit represented by the general formula: ##STR6## 
     wherein R 5  is as defined hereinabove and z is an integer. 
     In the second and third embodiments, two or more dinitriles and/or diamines and two or more aminonitrites may be employed respectively and in these cases copolyamides will be obtained. Besides, in each case, nitriles and/or amines and aminonitriles which are respectively tri- or greater than tri-functional also can be added in such a manner that nearly stoichiometric proportion as a whole are attained, if required, in order to improve properties of the resulting polyamides. 
     Needless to say, as a polymerization inhibitor, a small amount of monoamine, mononitrile or monocarboxylic acid may be added to the reaction mixture in the second and third embodiments of the invention, in order to control the polymer viscosity. 
     The amide-forming reaction in the process of the invention can be facilitated by addition of a catalyst to the reaction system. The catalysts employable in the present invention include ruthenium-, zinc-, rhodium-, titanium-, chromium-, zirconium-, osmium-, nickel-, cobalt-, molybdenum-, palladium-, selenium-, iron-, copper-, lead-, mercury-, vanadium-, cadmium-, iridium- and platinum-compounds, such as complexes thereof with at least one group selected from the group consisting of hydride, phosphine, carbonyl, ammonia and hydroxyl, carbonyl compounds, halides and oxides of these metals or the like. Among the above metal compounds, at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium-, rhodium-, nickel-, molybdenum-, copper-, zinc- and cobalt-compounds are preferable, and further, ruthenium complexes, ZnCl and MO(CO) 6  are more preferable and particularly RuH 2  (PPh 3 ) 4 , RuH 2  (CO)(PPh 2 ) 3  and the like (where Ph represents a phenyl group) are most preferable on account of their high activity. 
     These catalyst may be used alone or in combination and further, if required, along with an appropriate promoter such as a metal hydroxide. 
     As to an amount of catalyst to be added, only a catalytic amount existing in the reaction system may be enough and a preferable amount is, for instance, in the range between about 0.001 and about 10 mol %, more preferably between about 0.1 and about 3 mol %, based on the starting material nitrile, but with a smaller or larger amount, the reaction can be effected. 
     In the present invention, it is preferred that the reaction be carried out in an inert gas. Although the reaction readily proceeds on addition of only the catalyst to amines, nitriles (or aminonitriles) and water, the reaction will be carried out more effectively in the presence of a water-miscible organic solvent such as 1,2-dimethoxyethane, dioxane, pyridine, diglyme, tetrahydrofuran and the like. Though the reaction temperature has no specified upper limit, not higher than 250° C. is preferable. The reaction pressure may be atmospheric or higher, if required. The amount of water required is a stoichiometric amount based on the amount of nitrile. One equivalent of water, based on the nitrile is sufficient, however, there may be some excess of water, that is, from 1-100 equivalents, and, preferably, in the range of 1-3 equivalents. 
    
    
     Some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated by way of the following examples. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Synthesis of N-butylacetamide 
     Into a test tube of 30 ml capacity, a magnetic stirrer was put and argon gas was admitted to displace the air. Acetonitrile (2.0 mmol), butylamine (2.2 mmol), water (4.0 mmol,), RuH 2  (PPh 3 ) 4  (0.06 mmol) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME, 0.5 ml) were placed in the test tube that was thereafter sealed. 
     The solution was allowed to react at 160° C. for 24 hours while stirring. After cooling to -78° C., the sealed tube was opened and the product was isolated by passing through a short Florisil® column. N-butylacetamide was obtained in a 93% yield. Identification of N-butylacetamide was conducted by means of IR, NMR and mass spectrum data. 
     EXAMPLES 2-23 
     Examples wherein reaction was carried out under the same conditions as Example 1 are shown in Table 1. 
     
                                           TABLE 1(a)__________________________________________________________________________Example                                         Yield*.sup.4No.  Nitrile   Amine        Product*.sup.3      (%)__________________________________________________________________________ 2   CH.sub.3 CN          BuNH.sub.2 *.sup.1                        ##STR7##           93 3   CH.sub.3 CN           ##STR8##                        ##STR9##           99 4   CH.sub.3 CN           ##STR10##                        ##STR11##          84 5   CH.sub.3 CN          PhCH.sub.2 NH.sub.2                        ##STR12##          98 6   CH.sub.3 CN          PhCH.sub.2 NHCH.sub.3                        ##STR13##          95 7   CH.sub.3 CN          PhNH.sub.2                        ##STR14##          55 8   CH.sub.3 CN*.sup.2          H.sub.2 N(CH.sub.2).sub.6 NH.sub.2                        ##STR15##          89 9   C.sub.3 H.sub.7 CN           ##STR16##                        ##STR17##          9010   CH.sub.3 OCH.sub.2 CN          BuNH.sub.2                        ##STR18##          9311   CH.sub.3 OCH.sub.2 CN           ##STR19##                        ##STR20##          8712   PhCHCHCN           ##STR21##                        ##STR22##          5713   PhCN           ##STR23##                        ##STR24##          5014   NC(CH.sub.2).sub.2 CN           ##STR25##                        ##STR26##          9115   CH.sub.3 CN          Bu.sub.2 NH                        ##STR27##          6116   CH.sub.3 CN           ##STR28##                        ##STR29##          5917   CH.sub.3 CN*.sup.5          H.sub.2 N(CH.sub.2).sub.4 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3 NH.sub.2                        ##STR30##          7518 ##STR31##           ##STR32##                        ##STR33##          3219 ##STR34##          CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2                        ##STR35##          5420 ##STR36##           ##STR37##                        ##STR38##          4121 ##STR39##           ##STR40##                        ##STR41##          3822   PhCN      BuNH.sub.2                        ##STR42##          3023 ##STR43##           ##STR44##                        ##STR45##          32__________________________________________________________________________ *.sup.1 Bu: butyl group. *.sup.2 2 equivalent. *.sup.3 Each product was identified by IR, NMR and mass spectrum data. *.sup.4 Isolated yield. *.sup.5 5 equivalent. 
    
     Although a ruthenium compound was used as the catalyst in Examples enumerated above, it was confirmed that amides were also obtainable using rhodium-, nickel- and molybdenum-compounds in lieu of the ruthenium compound. 
     EXAMPLES 24-45 
     The catalyst, RuH 2  (PPh 3 ) 4  used in the reaction in Example 1 was replaced by the under-mentioned 22 compounds and respective series of the reaction were carried out to obtain N-butylacetamide in yields and with the acetonitrile conversions respectively given in Table 2 below. 
     
                       TABLE 2______________________________________Example                  Conversion                              Yield.sup.aNo.      Catalyst        (%)       (%)______________________________________24       RuH.sub.2 (PPh.sub.3).sub.4                    100       .sup. 99.sup.b25       RuH.sub.2 (CO)(PPh.sub.3).sub.3                    100       10026       [Ru(NH.sub.3).sub.5 Cl]Cl.sub.2                    54        9027       Rh(CO)(OH)(PPh.sub.3).sub.2                    41        51    *128       Ni(piaH).sub.2.Cl.sub.2.2H.sub.2 O                    43        2329       PdCl.sub.2      39        4230       Fe(CO).sub.5    17        1531       Mo(CO).sub.6    66        7732       Cu(O)           30        3333       Al(OH).sub.2 (C.sub.17 H.sub.35 CO.sub.2)                     8        2534       Ti(Oi-Pr).sub. 4                    17        9935       VO(AcAc).sub.2  60         536       Cr(CO).sub.6     9        9937       CoSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O                    34        1238       ZnCl.sub.2      76        9939       SeO.sub.2       13        5240       ZrCl.sub.2 Cp.sub.2                    21        9841       CdCl.sub.2      52        2042       IrCl.sub.3      77        1043       PtO.sub.2       20         344       HgCl.sub.2      34        3645       Pb(OAc).sub.4   36        49______________________________________ *1: Picolinic acid amide .sup.a GLC yield based on acetonitrile .sup.b Isolated yield. 
    
     EXAMPLE 46 
     Synthesis of nylon-66 
     Adiponitrile (0.216 g), hexamethylenediamine (0.232 g), RuH 2  (PPh 3 ) 4  (0.069 g), water (0.072 g) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (0.5 ml) were reacted in an argon gas atmosphere in a sealed tube under the same conditions as Example 1. After the reaction, precipitates were separated by filtration, washed with chloroform and dried. Then, nylon-66 was obtained in a 92% yield. Its number average molecular weight was 4,100 which was calculated from terminal amino-groups quantified by p-toluene sulfonic acid using thymol blue as an indicator. The nylon-66 was identified by IR (KBr) spectrum which showed absorptions at 3,230 (N--H, m), 2,910 (C--H, s), 2,840 (s), 1,630 (C═O, s), 1,530 (N--H, s), 1,225 (w) and 740 (w) cm -1  ; and by `HNMR spectrum (HCO 2  H, 60 MHz): δ 0.93-1.85 (m, 12H, --CH 2  --), 1.95-2.60 (m, 4 H, --COCH 2  --), 2.82-3.43 (m, 4 H, --N--CH 2  --) and 8.45 (br.s, 2 H, --NH). 
     EXAMPLE 47 
     Synthesis of high molecular weight nylon-66 
     Adiponitrile (0.216 g), hexamethylenediamine (0.232 g), RuH 2  (PPh 3 ) 4  (0.069 g), water (0.072 g) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (0.5 ml) were reacted at 200° C. in an argon gas atmosphere for 24 hours in a sealed tube. After the reaction, precipitates were separated by filtration, washed with chloroform and dried. Then, nylon-66 having a melting point temperature higher than 255° C. was obtained in a 98% yield. Its infrared and &#39;H NMR spectra similar to those in Example 46 resulted. The number average molecular weight was 8,900 which was calculated from terminal amino groups quantified by p-toluene sulfonic acid using thymol blue as an indicator (with respect to the polymer solution in cresol). 
     EXAMPLE 48 
     Synthesis of nylon-2,6 
     Adiponitrile (0.216 g), ethylenediamine (0.120 g), RuH 2  (PPh 3 ) 4  (0.069 g), water (0.072 g) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (0.5 ml) were reacted in a sealed tube under the same conditions as Example 1. After the reaction, precipitates were separated by filtration, washed with chloroform and dried. Then, nylon-2,6 was obtained in a 99% yield. Its number average molecular weight was 3,700 which was calculated from terminal amino groups quantified by p-toluene sulfonic acid using thymol blue as an indicator. Its infrared (KBr) spectrum showed absorptions at 3,350 (N--H, s), 3,170 (N--H, s), 2,950 (C--H, s), 1,645 (C═O, s), 1,545 (N--H, m), 1,330 (m), 1,120 (m) and 800 (m) cm -1  ; and &#39;H NMR spectrum (HCO 2  H, 60 MHz): δ 1.03-1.96 (m, 4 H, --CH 2  --), 1.96-2.68 (m, 4 H, --COCH 2  --), 3.05-3.95 (m, 4 H, --N--CH 2  --) and 8.22 (br.s, 2H, --NH). 
     EXAMPLE 49 
     Synthesis of nylon-3 
     3-Aminopropionitrile (0.282 g), water (0.145 g), RuH 2  (PPh 3 ) 4  (0.069 g) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (0.5 ml) were reacted at 200° C. in an argon gas atmosphere for 24 hours in a sealed tube. After the reaction, precipitates were separated by filtration, washed with chloroform and dried. Then, nylon-3 was obtained in a 98% yield. Its number average molecular weight was 1,600 which was calculated in the same manner as described in Example 48. Its infrared (KBr) spectrum showed absorptions at 3,290 (N--H, s), 2,940 (C--H, w), 1,640 (C═O, s), 1,545 (N--H, s), 1,435 (m), 1,115 (m) and 695 (m) cm -1  ; and &#39;HNMR spectrum (HCO 2  H, 60 MHz): δ 1.78-2.98 (m, 2 H, --COCH 2  --), 3.05-4.14 (m, 2 H, N--CH 2  --) and 7.56 (br.s, 1 H, --NH). 
     EXAMPLE 50 
     Synthesis of nylon-12 
     12-Aminoundecanenitrile (0.393 g), water (0.072 g), RuH 2  (PPh 3 ) 4  (0.069 g) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (0.5 ml) were reacted in an argon gas atmosphere in a sealed tube under the same conditions as Example 1. After the reaction, precipitates were separated by filtration, washed with chloroform and dried. Then, nylon-12 was obtained in a 99% yield. Its number average molecular weight was 5,000 which was calculated in the same manner as described in Example 48. Its infrared (KBr) spectrum showed absorptions at 3,290 (N--H, s), 2,940 (C--H, w), 1,640 (C═O, s), 1,545 (N--H, s), 1,435 (m), 1,115 (m) and 695 (m) cm -1  ; and &#39;H NMR (HCO 2  H, 60 MHz): δ 0.93-1.85 (m, 18 H, --CH 2  --), 1.95-2.60 (m, 2 H, --COCH 2  --), 2.82-3.43 (m, 2 H, --N--CH 2  --) and 8.45 (br.s, 2 H, --NH). 
     EXAMPLE 51 
     Synthesis of nylon-6T 
     Terephthalonitrile (0.256 g), hexamethylenediamine (0.232 g), RuH 2  (PPh 3 ) 4  (0.069 g), water (0.074 g) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (0.5 ml) were reacted at 180° C. in an argon gas atmosphere for 24 hours in a sealed tube. After the reaction, precipitates were separated by filtration, washed with chloroform and dried. Then, polyhexamethyleneterephthalamide having a decomposition temperature of 265° C. was obtained in a 98% yield. Its number average molecular weight was 1,200 which was calculated in the same manner as described in Example 48. Its infrared (KBr) spectrum showed absorptions at 3,160 (N--H, s), 3,070 (C--H, m), 2,920 (C--H, S), 2,860 (C--H, m), 1,620 (C═O, s), 1,535 (N--H, m), 1,410 (m), 1,285 (m) and 860 (m) cm -1  ; and &#39;H NMR (HCO 2  H, 60 MHz): δ 0.71-2.34 (m, 8 H, --CH 2  --), 2.90-3.76 (m, 4 H, --NCH 2 ), 6.21 (br.s, 2 H, NH) and 7.00-7.54 (m, 4 H, ArH). 
     EXAMPLE 52 
     Synthesis of poly-p-cyclohexaneadipamide 
     Adiponitrile (0.216 g), 1,4-cyclohexanediamine (0.228 g), RuH 2  (PPh 3 ) 4  (0.069 g) , water (0.074 g) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (0.5 ml) were reacted at 180° C. in an argon gas atmosphere for 24 hours in a sealed tube. After the reaction, precipitates were separated by filtration, washed with chloroform and dried. Then, polyamide having a decomposition temperature of 208° C. was obtained in a 98% yield. Its number average molecular weight was 1,000 which was calculated in the same manner as described in Example 48. Its infrared (KBr) spectrum showed absorptions at 3,180 (N--H, s), 2,925 (C--H, s), 2,860 (C--H, m), 1,630 (C═O, s), 1,540 (N--H, s), 1,410 (m), 1,115 (m) and 745 (m) cm -1  ; and &#39;H NMR (HCO 2  H, 60 MHz): δ 0.84-1.97 (m, 16 H), 2.70-3.27 (m, 2  H, --NCH&#39;--) and 6.76 (br.s, 2 H, NH). 
     EXAMPLE 53 
     Synthesis of polypiperazineadipamide 
     Adiponitrile (0.216 g), piperazine (0.172 g), RuH 2  (PPh 3 ) 4  (0.069 g), water (0.077 g) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (0.5 ml) were reacted at 180° C. in an argon gas atmosphere for 24 hours in a sealed tube. After the reaction, precipitates were separated by filtration, washed with chloroform and dried. Then, polyamide having a decomposition temperature of 230° C. was obtained in a 98% yield. Its number average molecular weight was 2,200 which was calculated in the same manner as described in Example 48. Its IR(KBR) spectrum showed absorptions at 2,930 (C--H, S), 2,870 (C--H, S), 1,635 (C═O, S), 1,435 (S), 1 250 (m), 1,205 (m) and 1,015 (m) cm -1  ; and &#39;H NMR (HCO 2  H, 60 MHz): δ 0.72-1.46 (m, 4 H, --CH 2  --), 1.52-2.37 (m, 4 H, --CH 2  CO--) and 2.70-3.69 (m, 8 H, --NCH 2  --). 
     EXAMPLE 54 
     Synthesis of polyhexamethylene-p-phenylenediacetamide 
     1,4-Phenylenediacetonitrile (0.312 g), hexamethylenediamine (0.232 g), RuH 2  (PPh 3 ) 4  (0.069 g), water (0.074 g) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (0.5 ml) were reacted at 180° C. in an argon gas atmosphere for 24 hours in a sealed tube. After the reaction, precipitates were separated by filtration, washed with chloroform and dried. Then, polyamide which did not melt at 300° C. was obtained in a 93% yield. Its number average molecular weight was 14,000 which was calculated in the same manner as described in Example 48. Its IR(KBr) spectrum showed absorptions at 3,250 (N--H, m), 2,920 (C--H, s), 2,850 (C--H, m), 1,630 (C═O, s), 1,530 (N--H, m), 1,425 (m) and 740 (m) cm -1 . 
     As is clear from the foregoing Examples, the use of metal compound catalysts, such as ruthenium compounds and the like according to the present invention, enables amides to be efficiently prepared directly from nitriles, amines and water, whereby a single step process is provided so that curtailment of reaction time, compaction of equipment and clean operations can be realized as compared with the conventional two step process for amide synthesis. In particular, the advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the reaction can be effected under neutral conditions with a small amount of water, which is profitable energetically. Further, by using dinitriles and diamines, or aminonitriles according to the present invention, polyamides can be produced with a single step manufacturing process. 
     While there has been shown and described what are considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various alterations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.