In 1948, Ritter et al. reported a classical route to synthesize amide from nitriles and alcohols. Acid-induced nucleophilic addition of a nitrile to a carbenium ion followed by hydrolysis to the corresponding amide is known as Ritter Reaction.
Primary, secondary, tertiary, and benzylic alcohols as well as tert-butyl acetate, also react with nitriles in the presence of strong acids to form amides via Ritter reaction.