Catalytic process for preparing nitriles from amides

US4203917A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Unibra Societe Anonyme · BE

Inventors

• Bernard Delmon · Wavre, BE
• Michel C. Portenart · Drogenbos, BE
• Heinz Viehe · Limal, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 7, 1978
• Grant date: May 20, 1980
• Expiry date: Mar 7, 1998

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01J23/28
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This invention relates to a new catalytic process for preparing nitriles such as acetonitrile, propionitrile or benzonitrile, from amides, such as acetamide or alkylacetamides, propionamide or alkylpropionamides, formanilide or alkylformanilides. According to this invention, the amide is reacted in gaseous phase in a reactor on a solid catalyst of the ammoxidation type, such as bismuth phosphomolybdate, at a temperature comprised between about 400.degree. and 650.degree. C.