A method for the reductive dimerization of acrylonitrile to adiponitrile

摘要

Prepn. of hydrodimers by reduction dimerization of alpha,beta-olefinic nitriles, carboxylic acid esters and carboxamides in absence of external electric circuit in a medium capable of providing reactive H. The H may be produced using an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal amalgam in presence of 0.05-50% (pref. 10-30%) of a quaternary ammonium salt R1R2R3R4NX where X is an anion, R1R2 same or different. 1-4C alkyl, R3R4 same or different 1-24C alkyl (e.g. trimethyl acetyl ammonium bromide, tetramethyl- or tetraethyl ammonium p-toluene sulphonate). The reaction may take place with a promoter of 1-50 p.p.m. of a chronium salt, 1-80 (pref. 20-70) moles water per mole of olefin at 10 deg.-C. (pref. 10 deg.-35 deg. C) in the presence of N,H-dimethyl-p-nitrosoaniline as polym. inhibitor at a pH of 1.5-9.5 (pref. 7-9.5) using a phosphate buffer or CO2.