US 4,003,933 A · Hydrogenation of nitriles in absence of secondary reaction suppressant

Abstract

Nitriles are converted to primary amines in the absence of a secondary amine formation suppressant by hydrogenation of the nitriles in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least one Group VIII metal promoted by at least one Group IVB metal. The process is applicable to the hydrogenation of nitriles having the formula (A).sub.x R(C.tbd.N).sub.y wherein x is zero or an integer and y is an integer, R is a hydrocarbyl radical having from 2 to 30 carbons and a valence of x + y and each A is selected from the group consisting of --OR' and --NR'.sub.2 wherein R' is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The process is particularly applicable to the hydrogenation of olefinically unsaturated dinitriles. The complete hydrogenation of olefinically unsaturated nitriles can be carried out in two sequential stages, utilizing a Group IVB metal promoted Group VIII metal catalyst in the first stage to achieve a reduction of the nitrile unsaturation and a suitable catalyst, e.g. ruthenium, in the second stage to achieve a reduction of the olefinic unsaturation.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A process for the catalytic hydrogenation of at least one nitrile having the formula (A).sub.x R(C.tbd.N).sub.y wherein x is zero or an integer and y is an integer, R is a hydrocarbyl radical having a valence of x+y, and each A is selected from the group consisting of --OR' and --NR'.sub.2 wherein each R' is individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydrocarbyl radicals having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, to produce primary amines;

comprising contacting said at least one nitrile with hydrogen and a catalyst under first suitable hydrogenation conditions in the at least substantial absence of any secondary amine formation suppressant;
said catalyst comprising at least one first component selected from the group consisting of elemental Group VIII metals and compounds of Group VIII metals which are reducible by hydrogen to the corresponding elemental metal at said hydrogenation conditions, and at least one second component selected from the group consisting of elemental Group IVB metals and compounds of Group IVB metals which are reducible by hydrogen to the corresponding elemental metal at said hydrogenation conditions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hydrogenation of nitriles in absence of secondary reaction suppressant

Life of this patent

Hydrogenation of nitriles in absence of secondary reaction suppressant

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16