Process for producing aliphatic nitrile

Abstract

The process for producing an aliphatic nitrile comprising reacting an aliphatic alcohol having 6 to 40 carbon atoms with ammonia (a) in the presence of a copper/transition metal element in the fourth period other than Cr/platinum group element in the eighth group catalyst, (b) under a reaction system pressure in the range of from atmospheric pressure to 100 atm, (c) at a reaction system temperature in the range of from 100.degree. to 250.degree. C., (d) while introducing at least one gas selected from the group consisting of inert gases and hydrogen gas into the reaction system, (e) removing water formed by the reaction out of the reaction system, and (f) controlling the amount of the ammonia contained in the gas (exclusive of the water formed by the reaction) discharged out of the reaction system to 5 to 50% by volume based on the volume of the gas discharged (exclusive of the water formed by the reaction) makes it possible to produce various kinds of aliphatic nitriles.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.