Ibuprofenamide: a convenient method of synthesis by catalytic hydration of 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionitrile in pure aqueous medium

An efficient and practical synthesis of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofenamide by catalytic hydration of 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionitrile is described. The readily accessible arene-ruthenium(II) complex [RuCl2(η6-C6Me6){P(NMe2)3}] is used as the catalyst, pure water as the solvent, and microwave irradiation as the heating source.