GB602129A - Improvements relating to the manufacture of nickel catalysts - Google Patents

Abstract

A nickel catalyst containing 0.5-3.5 per cent of chromium based on the weight of the nickel is prepared by treating an alloy containing nickel, chromium, and aluminium with alkali to remove the aluminium or to effect a superficial attack on the crushed alloy. In preparing the alloy, nickel and 50 per cent ferro-chromium may be added to molten aluminium, or the chromium may be introduced as an aluminium-chromium alloy obtained by the thermite process. The catalyst is used in the hydrogenation of organic substances, e.g. the conversion of adiponitrile to hexamethylenediamine (see Group IV (b))ALSO:Hexamethylenediamine is prepared by the hydrogenation of adiponitrile in the presence of a nickel catalyst containing 0.5-3.5 per cent of chromium based on the weight of the nickel and prepared by treating an alloy containing nickel, chromium, and aluminium with alkali to remove the aluminium or to effect a superficial attack on the crushed alloy (see Group III). Treatment of the adiponitrile with hydrogen is carried out at a pressure of 15-20 kgms/sq. cm. and a temperature of 65-67 DEG C. in the presence of caustic potash and methanol or ethanol. A series of hydrogenations may be performed using the same catalyst or additional catalyst may be introduced after each reaction.ALSO:A nickel alloy, for use as a catalyst (see Group III), containing 0.5-3.5 per cent of chromium based on the weight of the nickel, is prepared by treating an alloy containing nickel, chromium, and aluminium with alkali to remove the aluminium or to effect a superficial attack on the crushed alloy. In preparing the original alloy, nickel and 50 per cent ferro-chromium may be added to molten aluminium, or the cromium may be introduced as an aluminium-chromium alloy obtained by the thermite process.