1,4-Benzenedimethanamine → 1,4-Dicyanobenzene

5.1 g of terephthalonitrile, 1.0 g of catalyst (Ni 5136P from Harshaw/Filtrol--contains 65% nickel on a silica-alumina support), and about 85 g of ethanol/ammonia (contains about 10 wt % ammonia) were charged to a 300 cc stainless steel pressure reactor. After a nitrogen purge, the vessel was charged to a pressure of 500 to 1000 psi with hydrogen. The temperature was then increased until the reaction temperature of 150° C. had been obtained (typically 20-30 min). After the desired reaction interval, the contents were cooled and sampled. Product analysis and conversion were determined by gas chromatography. Yields of para-xylylenediamine varied between 63-81% depending on hydrogen pressure and reaction time which is preferrably from 2 to 8 hours. The remainder of the product was saturated para-xylylenediamine (1.4 bis (aminomethyl) cyclohexane. Table IV sets forth specific examples of reactions run to obtain the diamines from hydrogenation of terephthalonitrile.