Dimethylsulfinyl anions derived from CsOH–DMSO catalyzed nitrile hydration reactions in water to give the versatile amides via interesting DMSO-participating mechanisms.

Efficient and Selective Nitrile Hydration Reactions in Water Catalyzed by an Unexpected Dimethylsulfinyl Anion Generated in situ from CsOH and DMSO. -The reaction is conducted under environmentally benign conditions. -(CHEN, H.; DAI, W.; CHEN, Y.; XU*, Q.; CHEN, J.; YU, L.; ZHAO, Y.; YE, M.; PAN, Y.; Green Chem. 16 (2014) 4, 2136-2141, http://dx.