Preparation of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitriles

US4315869A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Franz Merger · Bischofswerda, DE
• Hans-Martin Hutmacher · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Helmut Hagen · Bischofswerda, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 24, 1980
• Grant date: Feb 16, 1982
• Expiry date: Apr 24, 2000

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C255/00
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

.alpha.,.beta.-Unsaturated nitriles are prepared by reacting an aldehyde with formamide in the presence of an acid and the presence or absence of a non-aromatic solvent to give an N-alkenyl-formamide, which is then passed, in the gas phase, over a dehydration catalyst at an elevated temperature. The nitriles obtainable by the process of the invention are valuable starting materials for the preparation of dyes, crop protection agents, plasticizers and drugs.