PURPOSE: To obtain a stable amount of an acid amide compound, easily and stably, and to facilitate the precipitation and filtration of the reaction catalyst from the reaction liquid, by hydrating a nitrile compound in a liquid-phase suspension bed in the presence of a Raney-copper catalyst containing a specific amount of iron.

CONSTITUTION: An acid amide compound can be produced by hydrating a nitrile compound such as acrylonitrile in a liquid-phase suspension bed, in the presence of a Raney-copper catalyst containing ≤0.7wt% iron based on copper, at 70W150°C, preferably 90W140°C. The Raney-copper catalyst composed mainly of metallic copper can be prepared by developing a Raney-copper alloy with an aqueous solution of a basic compound such as sodium hydroxide to dissolve the soluble component (e.g. aluminum) in the alloy, and removing the eluted compound and a major part of the excess basic compound by washing with water, etc.