A high-pressure bomb of about 1.1-l. capacity is charged with 82 g. (0.50 mole) of sebaconitrile and about 6 g. of Raney nickel catalyst (Note 1) suspended in 25 ml. of 95% ethanol, an additional 25 ml. of ethanol being used to rinse in the catalyst. The bomb is closed (Note 2), and about 68 g. (4 moles) of liquid ammonia is introduced from a tared 5-lb. commercial cylinder (Note 3). Hydrogen is then admitted at tank pressure (1500 lb.), and the temperature is raised to 125°. The reaction starts at about 90° and proceeds rapidly at 110–125°. When hydrogen is no longer absorbed (1–2 hours) the heater is shut off and the bomb allowed to cool. The hydrogen and ammonia are allowed to escape, and the contents of the bomb are rinsed out with two 100-ml. portions of 95% ethanol. The ethanolic solution is filtered quickly through a layer of decolorizing carbon (Note 4) to remove the catalyst and transferred to a 500-ml. Claisen flask having a modified side arm and connected by ground-glass joints to a receiver (Note 5). The ethanol is removed by distillation at atmospheric pressure, the receiver is changed, and the decamethylenediamine is distilled under reduced pressure. It boils at 143–146°/14 mm. (Note 6) and solidifies, on cooling, to a white solid, freezing point 60°. The yield is 68–69 g. (79–80%) (Note 7), (Note 8), and (Note 9).