GB1169525A - Method of Manufacturing Hydrodimer of Acrylonitrile - Google Patents

Abstract

1,169,525. Electrolytic production of adiponitrile. ASAHI KASEI KOGYO K. K. Dec.1, 1966 [Dec. 3, 1965; Dec.13, 1965], No.53869/66. Heading C7B. Adiponitrile is produced electrolytically in a divided cell separated by a cation exchange membrane, in which the catholyte is an aqueous solution containing acrylonitrile in a concentration of less than 10% by weight and a quaternary ammonium sulphate wherein the quaternary ammonium cation is an alkyl, aryl or aralkyl, heterocyclic or alkylalkanol quaternary ammonium cation, and the anolyte contains sulphuric acid. The adiponitrile produced may be extracted from the catholyte by addition of acrylonitrile thereto, the result separating into an organic phase containing the adiponitrile and an aqueous phase containing the quaternary ammonium sulphate, which may be returned to the cathode compartment. The quaternary ammonium compounds may include methyl, ethyl, butyl, propyl, phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl and methylbenzyl groups. Compounds which may be used include trimethylethylammonium sulphate, methylpyridiniun. sulphate, trimethylbenzylammonium sulphate and trimethylaniline sulphate. A solvent, e.g. acetonitrile, propionitrile, dioxane, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulphoxide or an amine, e.g. trimethylamine, may be present in the anolyte. The cathode may be formed of copper, lead, tin or mercury or an alloy thereof. The anode may be formed of platinum, nickel, nickel silicide, Duriron, lead or lead alloy, e.g. lead-antimony. The membrane may be formed of ion-exchange material having sulphonic acid groups or carboxyl groups, e.g. sulphonated styrene-divinylbenzene polymer.