Oxamide prepn. from hydrogen cyanide oxygen and water - using a catalyst contg. a carboxylic acid and cupric nitrate

摘要

In the title process HCN and O2 (or air) is passed through a soln. contg. Cu(NO3)2 and a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid. Water is replaced in the catalyst as it is consumed. The Cu(NO3)2 content is 1-10% the acid content 19-96% and the water content 3-80%. The process is effected in one stage and may be run continuously. Gases from the reactor are recycled. In an example (I) is prepd. in 94.5% yield by passing 80g HCN and 5l O2 per hr through 15g Cu(NO3)2 3H2O, 320g HOAc at 80g water for 4 hrs at 50-60 degrees C.