Hydrothermal reaction of saturated and unsaturated nitriles: Reactivity and reaction pathway analysis

Citation
B. Izzo et al., Hydrothermal reaction of saturated and unsaturated nitriles: Reactivity and reaction pathway analysis, IND ENG RES, 38(4), 1999, pp. 1183-1191
Citations number
34
Categorie Soggetti
Chemical Engineering
Journal title
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
ISSN journal
08885885 → ACNP
Volume
38
Issue
4
Year of publication
1999
Pages
1183 - 1191
Database
ISI
SICI code
0888-5885(199904)38:4<1183:HROSAU>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
The reactions of acrylonitrile, crotonitrile, propionitrile, and a small se t of related reaction products were investigated in high-temperature water. Hydrolysis of the cyano group yielded the corresponding amides, which unde rwent similar hydrolysis to yield the carboxylic acids. The conversion of a crylonitrile was more rapid than that of its saturated analogue propionitri le, as the unsaturated site of acrylonitrile provided a facile pathway for the formation of alcohols, amines, and ethers. Carbon-carbon bond cleavage pathways involving the hydration of the olefin moiety were also observed fo r acrylonitrile.