The reaction proceeds under exogenous oxidant and catalyst-free conditions. The conversion of nitriles to amides by reaction with alcohols or alkenes in the presence of sulphuric acid is named Ritter reaction. Explore all metrics. Check out. Author (s): Krimen, L. I.; Cota, Donald J. VolumePublishedDOI: /or Abstract. General scheme: R1 OHCN H R1 N H R2 O H3CCN H2SO4 H2O N H O H OH2:N H 2O E1 N nitrilium The Ritter ReactionOrganic Reactions. The Ritter reaction is a method of choice for the prod