New bifunctional chemical catalysts for the hydration of nitriles are described. cis-Ru(acac)₂(PPh₂py)₂ exhibited high activity, with a turnover frequency of up to 20,900 (mol of amide)/((mol of catalyst)h). Newly synthesized iridium complexes bearing a PPh₂py ligand have a 16e^- square planar structure. The catalytic hydration of nitriles proceeded at 80 °C within few hours to give corresponding amides in almost quantitative yield. Moreover, the iridium complexes acted as a catalyst for the hydration under solvent-free conditions. In addition, new catalysts based on palladium nanoparticles for the hydration are described. Copper compounds containing oxygen atom acted as effective co-catalysts in the catalytic system.