Method for the hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines

US4375003A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Nalco Chemical Company · US

Inventors

• Ronald J. Allain · Richmond, US
• Gerald D. Smith · Richmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 15, 1979
• Grant date: Feb 22, 1983
• Expiry date: Jan 15, 1999

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C209/48
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An improved process for preparing primary amines from an aliphatic nitrile and hydrogen utilizing a Raney cobalt catalyst which contains from about 2 to 35 weight percent of aluminum on a 100 weight percent total weight basis. Preferably, this catalyst is prepared under low temperature conditions from a cobalt-aluminum alloy. The process can be practiced continuously for extended periods of time at high reaction rates and high conversion yields even when employing concentrated nitrile starting feeds.