CYANOETHYLATION OF ALCOHOLS OVER SOLID BASE CATALYSTS

Cyanoethylation of alcohols with acrylonitrile to form 3-alkoxypropane nitriles proceeds effectively over solid base catalysts such as alkali ne metal oxides and hydroxides, lanthanum oxide, and alumina supported potassium fluoride and hydroxide at a reaction temperature below 323 K. The order of the reactivity of alcohols varied with the types of ca talyst. With magnesium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide, the reactivity of alcohol decreased: methanol>ethanol>2-propanol, while with the alk aline earth oxides, lanthanum oxide, and alumina supported KOH and KF, the reactivity order was opposite. The reactivity orders are interpre ted by the acidity of alcohol combined with the basic strength of the catalysts. The catalytic activity of solid base catalysts were scarcel y affected by exposure of the catalyst to air before use for the react ion. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.