One-pot synthesis of α-alkylated nitriles with carbonyl compounds through consecutive aldol reaction/hydrogenation using a hydrotalcite-supported palladium nanoparticle as a multifunctional heterogeneous catalyst

α-Alkylation of various nitriles with carbonyl compounds successfully proceeded using a hydrotalcite-supported palladium nanoparticle as a multifunctional catalyst. The alkylated nitriles were formed through aldol reaction at base sites on the hydrotalcite surface followed by hydrogenation by molecular hydrogen on the palladium nanoparticle.