Nitriles were synthesized from the aerobic oxidation of amines over commercially available catalysts, which were activated carbon-supported ruthenium catalysts (Ru/AC). The 5% Ru/AC catalyst can tolerate a wide range of substrates, such as aromatic, aliphatic, and heterocyclic amines, and afford the target nitriles in good-to-excellent yields. The 5% Ru/AC catalyst was easily recovered and no ruthenium leaking took place in the catalytic run.