US3193477A - Electrolytic hydrodimerization process and extraction procedure - Google Patents

Electrolytic hydrodimerization process and extraction procedure Download PDF

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US3193477A
US3193477A US189072A US18907262A US3193477A US 3193477 A US3193477 A US 3193477A US 189072 A US189072 A US 189072A US 18907262 A US18907262 A US 18907262A US 3193477 A US3193477 A US 3193477A
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electrolyte
electrolysis
olefinic
aqueous
salt
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Manuel M Baizer
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Monsanto Co
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Monsanto Co
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Priority to BE631302D priority patent/BE631302A/xx
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Priority to US189072A priority patent/US3193477A/en
Priority to CH1211862A priority patent/CH433232A/de
Priority to NO14723963A priority patent/NO117241B/no
Priority to AT314663A priority patent/AT244992B/de
Priority to NO148344A priority patent/NO117298B/no
Priority to GB15582/63A priority patent/GB1041462A/en
Priority to SE4352/63A priority patent/SE312330B/xx
Priority to CH490663A priority patent/CH433298A/fr
Priority to LU43591D priority patent/LU43591A1/xx
Priority to DK183663AA priority patent/DK129412B/da
Priority to FR932005A priority patent/FR1363242A/fr
Priority to DEM56556A priority patent/DE1299291B/de
Priority to US468997A priority patent/US3274084A/en
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07C255/00—Carboxylic acid nitriles
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B3/00—Electrolytic production of organic compounds
    • C25B3/20—Processes
    • C25B3/29—Coupling reactions
    • C25B3/295—Coupling reactions hydrodimerisation
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C25B9/17—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof

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  • a general object of the present invention is to provide a procedure for extracting from an electrolyte the reduced, coupled product obtained in the electrolytic, reductive coupling of olefinic compounds in an electrolyte.
  • a further general object of the present invention is to provide a procedure, to effect the electrolytic reductive coupling of olefinic compounds in an electrolyte simultaneously with the extraction of the coupled product from the electrolyte.
  • a more specific object is to provide a procedure for the hydrodimcrization of olcfinic compounds in aqueous electrolyte and to utilize unrcacted olefinic compound to extract the hydrtxlimcrization product from the electrolyte.
  • a still more specific object of the invention is to provide a procedure for the hydrodimerization ofacryloniti'ile to adiponitrile in which the hydrodimerization occurs in aqueous electrolyte but acrylonitrile is employed in excess of its solubility in the aqueous electrolyte and is used to extract the adiponitrile product from the aqueous electrolyte.
  • The'apparatus of the present invention is an electrolysis cell for continuous reductive coupling and extraction of the coupled product, the cell being composed of a container, cathode and anode, an electrolyte. an olefinic compound which is dissolved to some extent in the. electrolyte but which is present in excess of its solubility so as to form a supernatant layer over the electrolyte, and an outlet from the cell container located above the surface of the electrolyte. but at a level which permits overflow of the supernatant layer of olcfinic compound.
  • the reductively coupled product preferentially dissolves in the supernatant olefinic compound layer and additional olefinic compound can then be dissolved in the electrolyte to maintain the desired concentration there.
  • the additional olefinic compound added to the cell as the hydrodimerization proceeds is preferentially added below the surface of the electrolyte to promote the desired extraction of the product.
  • the overflow of the supernatant layer can flow through a tube or other conduit to a receptacle serving as a boiler, and the unreacted olefinic compound can be distilled from the boiler and returned to the electrolysis cell.
  • the conduit from the boiler can, if desired, be provided with cooling coils, a condenser, or other means to cause condensation of the distillate prior to its return to the electrolysis cell in order to avoid overheating the electrolysis cell.
  • the apparatus can be provided with a washing chamber in the conduit from the overflow to the boiler.
  • a washing chamber is provided with an aqueous washing liquid, and an inlet means to permit the overflow from the cell to discharge below the surface of the washing liquid, and the chamber is further provided with an outlet above the surfnce of the washing liquid to permit flow of the organic materials from the washing chamber to the boiler.
  • the electrolysis" cell has a catholyte composed of aqueous electrolyte and acrylonitrite and a supernatant layer of acrylonitrile which 18 present in excess of its solubility in'the aqueous electrolyte.
  • Electrolytic hydrodimerizations and other reductive eouplings of olefinic compounds have previously been described in the copending applications of the present applicant which are referred to hereinbelow.
  • the present invention involves an improvement in electrolytic hydrodimerization or other reductive couplings in that electrolytes are employed which dissolve a sufficient amount of the olefinic compounds to result in efficient coupling, but which are not completely miscible with the olefinic compounds; and the olefinic compounds are employedin such amounts that they form a supernatant layer of olefinic compound above the surface of the electrolyte thereby making it possible for the reductively coupled product to be extracted into the supernatant layer.
  • olcfinic compound in amounts greater than its solubility in the electrolyte, and to employ an electrolytc of greater Specific gravity than the olefinic compound, and one which will dissolve a sufiicient amount of the olefinic compounds to permit an efficient reductive coupling.
  • an electrolyte of lesser specific gravity could be employed and provision made for Withdrawing olefinic compound at a regulated rate from the heavier olctinic layer.
  • the invention concerns a procedure for conducting the electrolytic reductive coupling of olefinic compounds in an electrolysis cell, removing the electrolyteand reaction components from the electrolysis cell, by pumping, gravity flow or other suitable means, and employing olefinic compound to extract the reduced coupled product from the electrolyte which can then, if desired, be returned to the electrolysis cell.
  • excess olefinic compound can be present during the electrolysis. or the olcfinic compound can be present in amounts which are completely miscible with the elec trolyte. It is desirable, of course. that the olefinic compound employed as extractant be one which is being reductively coupled in the electrolysis.
  • the extraction can be conducted by ordinary mixing and decantation, counter current extraction procedures, or other means known to the art, and the olcfinic compound can be separated from the product by distillation or other procedures suitable'for effecting separation of the particular materials.
  • procedures and apparatus of the type illustrated herein for simultaneously forming, extracting and isolating the reductively coupled product can also be employed for effecting the extraction and isolation separately from the electrolysis. It will bev recognized that such separate procedures include extracting the product from the electrolyte in the electrolysis cell but subsequenrto the electrolysis, as well as the procedure in which the electrolyte is removed to a separate vessel prior to such extraction.
  • the figure of the drawing illustrates an electrolysis cell suitable for conducting electrolytic reductive coupling reactions andextracting the reduced coupled product from the electrolyte.
  • the cell being adapted to continuous operation,
  • the cell contains electrolyte in a container current and other requirements for an electrolysis cell.
  • the cell is composed of a boiler 1 which is a receptacle in which the overflow from the cell is collected and from which the low boiling components can be distilled,-a riser tube 2 leading to a condenser 3 which is connected to a disperser 4 beneath the surface of the electrolyte in the cell which has a cathode 5, which in this case is mercury resting on the bottom of the container, an electrolyte 6, an anode chamber 7 which is separated from the catholyte by a diaphragm 8,
  • thermometer 11 an inlet tube 12 to 'add materials, for
  • a stirre 13 An additional means suitable for adding additional olefinic compound below the surface of the electrolyte is provided by the condenser 3 connected to the disperser 4
  • the catholyte level 14' is not sufficiently high to permit flow from the container through the overflow, but the level 15 of the supernatant layer of olefinic compounds resting on the catholyte is high enough to permit overflow from thefiask as the electrolysis proceeds, the overflow going into a washer 16 which is a container provided with an inlet tube having a disperser 17,'a 1evel of water 18, a level of the supernatant layer in the washer 19, a stopcock 20' for discharge of the aqueous layer and the overflow tube 21 leading from the electrolysis cellto the inlet tube and disperser of the washer.
  • the washer also has an overflow tube 22 leading to the boiler 1 and the washer has an inlet 23 for addition of more water.
  • the drawing is merely illustrative and that there can be many variations in the apparatus of the present invention.
  • a solid metallic pole or wire for the cathode rather than a layer of mercury; it is also feasible to have the same electrolyte as catholyte and anolyte and not to'scparate the cathode and anode by a diaphragm.
  • the stirrer and thermometer are, of course, highly desira-ble but by'no means essential.
  • the boiler 1 could be provided with a stopcock on its lower portion to permit discharge of the distillation residue, or could be adapted for separation from the riser tube to permit removal for treatment of the residue for isolation or other purposes, while being replaced with another boiler to permit the continuance of the electrolysis.
  • Thepresent invention is adaptable to the reductive coupling of any olefinic compound capable of electrolytic reductive coupling.
  • suitable compounds are the alpha,b eta-olefiniccarboxylates, nitriles and amides as disclosed in my copending applications Ser. No. 163,028, filed December 29, 1961; Ser. No. 145,480, filed October 16, 1961; Ser. No. 145,482, filed October 16, 1961; and Ser. No. 75,130, filed December 12, 1960; all
  • X and Y are selected from the group consisting of cyano,.carboxylate,.and carboxamide groups, and each R. R and R" is selectcdvfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl (including cycloalkyl) and aryl radicals, particularly such radicals containing no more than eight carbon atoms. It will be recognized that a wide variance in the substituents is permissible, and each individual R, R and R" can be the same as or different from another R, R, or R", X and Y can be the same or different, and also the two finally defined compounds to be coupled can be the same or different.
  • each olefinic reactant can have two or more such functional groups, and they can be the same or ditferent types.
  • X and Y can be further defined as representing Mcthacrylonitrile Butyl methacrylate' Crotononitrile Ethyl erotonate 2-methylcnebutyronitrile 2-pentenenitrile N,N-diethylcrotonamide N,N-dibutyI-Z-pentenamide N,N-dimethyl-Z-tnethylenevaleramide 2,S-dimethyladiponitrile Dibutyl 2,5-dimethyladipate 3,4-dimethyladiponitrile .Diethyl 3,4-aimeth 1adip 2,5-diethyladiponitrile 3,4sdiethyladiponitrile N .N,N,N-tetraethyl 3,4-dimethyladipamide l-l .N,N',N'-tetrabutyl 3,4-diethyladipamide N,N,N,N-tctramethyl 2,5-dipropyladipamide
  • Methacrylonitrile and ethyl acrylate Crotonitrile and ethyl acrylate Ethyl acrylate and methyl acrylate Butyl acrylate-and butyl methacrylate Ethyl delta-cyano caproat e Ethyl delta-cyano gamma-methyl valerate Ethyl methyl-adipate I Dibutyl 2-methyl-adipate
  • the broad applicability of electrolytic reductive coupling can be illustrated by comparison with the generalized Michael condensation (Organic Reactions, 10 179).
  • YCH Y in which at least one of X and Y is an activating group, must be capable of furnishing an anion, usually by the agency of an alkaline catalyst, and the acidity of a molecule is a rough measure of its efiicacy as a donor; while the acceptor molecule in which Z is an activating group, contains an activated double bond which is capable of polarizing and giving rise to a carbonium ion center:
  • the first step in the electrolytic reductive coupling reaction appears to be the addition of two electrons to form a dicarbanion from a suitably activated olefin:
  • the half-wave reduction potential of a compound is a precise measure of ability to function as a donor in electrolytic reductive coupling. While the suitability of a compound as a donor molecule will depend upon the contemplated acceptor molecule and to a certain extent upon the electrolyte, in general the compound should not have a half-wave potential more negative than ca. -2.1 volts (measured against a saturated calomel electrode). As in the Michael condensation.
  • the adduct then reacts with H+ (from the aqueous medium) or its equivalent to terminate the process.
  • H+ from the aqueous medium
  • the coupling and termination reactions appear completely analogous to the corresponding steps in the Michael condensation.
  • the donor molecule is in competition with other, usually smaller, anions present in the reaction medium (e.g. OH- in aqueous electrolyses, OR in Michael condensations).
  • an acceptor Since an acceptor must be able to accept electrons that are associated with a particular site in a carbanion, the half-wave reduction potential of an acceptor is not a complete criterion of its performance in this role. For example, steric factors which affect only slightly the ability to take up electrons will have a much greater effect on ability to take up a carbanion. However, if the electrolytic reduction of an activated olefin is very difiicult (i.e., it has, a very negative half-wave potential), the chances that this olefin will act as an acceptor toward an electrolytically generated carbanion are poor. In general those compounds suitable as acceptors in the Michael condensation, such as permanently polarized olefins, are also suitable as acceptors in electrolytic reductive couplings.
  • theconcentration of donor-to-be may be kept low and of acceptorto-be high. Also good results can be expected in coupling of a good acceptor, e.g., acrylonitrile, with a donor molecule which more readily accepts electrons but which because of steric effects cannot headily undergo hydrodimerization.
  • a good acceptor e.g., acrylonitrile
  • a donor molecule which more readily accepts electrons but which because of steric effects cannot headily undergo hydrodimerization.
  • electrolytic reductions of highly conjugated olefins, particularly 1,3-butadABLEs it has been found that there is a considerable tendency toward simple reduction of an olefinic bond rather than hydrodirnerization.
  • the reaction can often be directed toward production of the hydrodimerby using only small amounts of water in thecatholyte.
  • the electrolytic, reductive coupling will be conducted in concentrated solution in an aqueous electrolyte. It is desirable to employ fairly concentrated solutions in order to minimize undesired reactions ofintermediate ions with the water of the electrolyte.
  • olefinic reactions will comprise at least 10% by ,weight of the electrolyte and preferably at least 20% by weight or more. In order to achieve such concentration, it is generally desirable to employ fairly high concentrations of salts in the electrolyte, for example, at least 10% or more by weight and preferably 20% or more by weight of the total amount of salt and water in the electrolyte. However, it is not desirable to employ such amounts of salts in the electrolyte as to make the olefinie compounds miscible with the electrolyte solution, but the use of such amounts as from 30% to 50% or so by weight of the salt ordinarily does not cause miscibility and often amounts up to or by weight of the salt in the total amount of salt'and water in the electrolyte can be employed.
  • the amount of water in the electrolyte is very significant to the course of the electrolysis reaction and the products produced thereby, and this should be taken into consideration in selecting suitable concentrations of the salt in the electrolyte. It will be recognized that suitable proportions of the electrolyte components in the olefinic compound can be readily determined in the light of the teaching in the present disclosure.
  • the electrolyte has sufficient salt in it to dissolve more than 10% by weight of olefinic compound in the electrolyte, but that the electrolyte is not such a good solvent as to be miscible with the olefinic compound, and to add sufficient olefinic compounds to form a supernatant layer above the electrolyte in addition to the greater than 10% concentration dissolved in the electrolyte.
  • the amount of olefinic compound be sufiicient to provide a supernatant layer of olefinic compound at the electrolysis temperature, as Well as at the room temperature or other temperature at which the electrolysis is started.
  • the electrolysis procedure will, of course, produce the desired product even though some of the salt is-removed in the overflow, but the isolation of the product' is simplified if the removal of the salt is kept at a minimum.
  • the aqueous washing medium provided in the overflow line between the cell and the boiler is useful in removing fairly large amounts of salt from the overflow liquid.
  • Electrolysis has been practiced for many years and numerous materials suitable as electrolytes are known, making it within the skill of the art in the light of. the present disclosure to select electrolytes for reduc-
  • any electrolyte suitable for reductive coupling can be employed in the present invention.
  • some olefinic compounds are subject to polymerization or other side reactions if the electrolyte is acidic, or excessively alkaline, and it will be advisable in such cases to conduct the reductive coupling in non-acidic solution, and in some cases below a pH at which undesirable side reactions occur, for example, below about 9.5.
  • the salt employed in the electrolyte should not contain cations which are discharged at substantially lower, i.e., less negative, cathode potentials.
  • the salt employed will ordinarily have a relatively high degree of water solubility to'permit use of concentrated solutions in order to dis- 4 solve large amounts of the organic olefinic compound.
  • amine and quaternary ammonium salts are particularly suitable for use in the present process.
  • the amine and quaternary ammonium salts are generally suitable,
  • Such salts can be the saturated aliphatic amine salts or heterocyclic amine'salts, e.g., the mono-, dior trialkylamine. salts, or the mono-, dior trialkanolamine salts, or the piperidine, pyrrolidine or morpholine salts, e.g., the ethylamine, dimethylamine' or triisopropylamine salts of various acids, especially various sulfonic acids.
  • aliphatic and heterocyclic quaternary ammonium salts i.e., the tetraalkylammonium or the tetraalkanolammoniumsalts or'mixed alkyl alkanol ammonium'gsalts such as the alkyltrialkanolammonium, the dialkyldialkanolammonium, the alkanotrialkylammonium or the N-heterocyclic N-alkyl ammonium salts of sulfonic or other suitable acids;
  • the saturated aliphatic or heterocyclic quaternary ammonium cations in general have suitably high cathode discharge potentials for use in the present' invention and readily form salts having suitably high water solubility with anions suitablefor use in the electrolytes employed in the'present invention.
  • the saturated; aliphatic or heterocyclic quaternary ammonium salts are therefore-in general well adapted to dissolving high amounts of olefiniccompounds in their aqueous solutions and to effecting reductive couplings of such olefinic compounds. It is understood, of course, that it is undesirable thatthe ammonium groups contain any reactive groups which might interfere to some extent with the reductive coupling reaction. In this connection it should be noted that aromatic unsaturation as such does not interfere as benzyl substituted ammonium cations can be employed (as also can aryl sulfonate anions).
  • the aryl and alkaryl sulfonic acids are especially suitable, for example, salts of the followingacids: benzenesufonic acid, 0-, m-, or p-toluenesulfonic acid, o-, m-, or p-ethylbenzenesulfonic acid, o-, m-, or p-cumenesulfonic acid, o-, m-, or p-tert-amyl-benzene sulfonic acid, o-, mor p-hexylbenzenesulfonic acid, o-xylcne4-sulfonic acid, p-xylene- 2-sulfonic acid, m-xylene-4- or Ssulfonic acid, mesitylene- 2-sulfonic acid, durene-3-sulfonic acid, pentamethylbenzenesulfonic acid, o
  • Alkali metal salts are useful with certain limitations, and the alkali metal salts of such sulfonic acids can be employed, i.e., the sodium, potassium, lithium, cesium or rubidium salts such as sodiumbenzencsulfonate, potassium p-toluene-sulfonate, lithium o-biphenylsulfonate, rubidium beta-naphthalenesulfonate, cesium p-ethylbenzenesulfonate, sodium o-xylene-3-sulfonate, or potassium pentamcthylbenzenesulfonate.
  • the alkali metal salts of such sulfonic acids can be employed, i.e., the sodium, potassium, lithium, cesium or rubidium salts such as sodiumbenzencsulfonate, potassium p-toluene-sulfonate, lithium o-biphenylsulfonate, rubidium beta-n
  • the salts of such sulfonic acids may also be the saturated, aliphatic amine or heterocyclic amine salts. e.g., the mono-, dior trialkyl-amine salts, or the mono-, di-, or trialkanolamine salts, or the piperidine, pyrrolidine, or morpholine salts, e.g., the
  • the sulfonates of any of the ammonium cations disclosed generically or specifically herein can be employed in the present invention.
  • the aliphatic sulfonates are prepared by reaction of the correspondingly substituted ammonium hydroxide with the sulfonic acid or with an acyl halide thereof.
  • a sulfonic acid such as p-toluenesulfonic acid
  • a tetraalkylammonium hydroxide such as tetraethylammonium hydroxide
  • tetraethylammonium hydroxide tetraethylammonium hydroxide
  • quaternary ammonium sulfonatcs are e.g., tetraethylammonium oor m-toluenesulfonate or benzenesulfo'nate; tetraethylammonium o-, mor p-cumenesulfonate or o-, mor p-ethylbenzenesulfonate, tetramethylammonium benzenesulfonate, or o-, mor p-toluenesulfonate; N,N-di-methylpiperidinium o-, mor p-toluenesulfonate or o-, mor pbiphenylsulfonate; tetrabutylammonium alphaor betanaphthalenesulfonate or 'o-, mor p-toluenesulfonate; tetrapropylam
  • tetraalkylammonium salts of the aryl or alkarylsulfonic acids are generally preferred for use as the salt constltuents of the electrolysis solution because the electrolyses in the tetraalkylammonium sulfonates are exclusively electrochemical processes.
  • ammonium and amine sulfonatcs useful as electrolytes in the present invention are the alkyl, aralkyl,
  • amine and ammonium sulfonates in which ordinarily the individual substituents on the nitrogen atom contain no more than atoms, and usually the amine or ammonium radical contains from 3 to carbon atoms.
  • diand polyamines and diand poly-ammonium radicals are operable and included'by the terms amine and ammonium.
  • the sulfonate radical can be from aryl, alkyl, alkaryl or aralkyl sulfonic acids of various molecular weights up to for example 20 carbon atoms, preferably about 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and can include one, two or more sulfonate groups. Any of the quaternary ammonium sulfonates disclosed and claimed in my copending application Ser. No. 75,130, filed December 12, 1960, can suitably be employed.
  • alkylsulfate salts such as methosulfate salts, particularly the amine and quaternary ammonium methosulfate salts.
  • Methosulfate salts such as the methyltriethylammonium, trin-propylmethylammonium, triamylmethylammonium, tri-n-butylmethylammonium, etc., are very hygroscopic, and the tri-n-butylmethyL ammonium in particular forms very concentrated aqueous solutions'which dissolve large amounts of organic materials.
  • the amine and ammonium cations suitable for use in'the alkylsulfate salts are the same as those for the sulfonates.
  • the electrolytic cell can comprise a container of material capable of resisting the action of the electrolytes, for example glass.
  • a container of material capable of resisting the action of the electrolytes for example glass.
  • Within the container, and serving to divide it into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment may be a diaphragm in the form of a porous cup, e.g., of unglazed porcelain.
  • the anode which may be of, e.g., platinum or carbon, or any electrode which is inert under the reaction conditions is immersed in an anolyte contained in the porous cup.
  • the anolyte can be aqueous solution of the salt or can be an aqueous solution of acid.
  • stirring may be employed for pH control.
  • the anode is subjected to little or no attack; so that the anode may be of substantially any electrode material, e.g., carbon, gold, nickel, nickel silicide, Duriron, lead and lead antimony and lead-copper alloys.
  • An anode comprising lead deposited on a copper screen may thus be employed.
  • the cathode which may be mercury or another metal having a hydrogen over-voltage which is greater than that of copper, e.g., gallium, silver, gold, titanium, zirconium.
  • thorium, cadmium, tin or lead or alloys thereof such as lead-mercury alloy or cadmium-copper alloy, and the porous cup, if one is employed, are submerged in the solution of alpha-beta-olefinic compound in the concentrated aqueous salt or a mixture of the same with a polar solvent.
  • the entire cell may be cooled by a jacket containing a coolant, and both the anode and cathode chambers may be equipped with condensers.
  • the increase of temperature which is produced during electrolysis generally does not result in so much of a decrease in yield that cooling other than with circulating water is economically required.
  • the electrolysis can be conducted at a temperature of from, say, 10 C. and up to almost the refluxing temperature of the electrolytic bath. Stirring of the solution during the electrolyses, if desired-may be conducted by mechanical .or magnetic means.
  • the pH of the catholyte may be controlled by addition of small amounts of acid as necessary to prevent the catholyte from becoming more alkaline than desired.
  • the quantity of current which is supplied to the cell will vary with the nature and quantity of the bath and of the electrodes and with the operating temperature, but will ordinarily be at a rate greater than 0.5 ampere and in the order of a current density, of, say, from 2.0 to 20.0
  • amperes/dm? (dm. refers to the area in square decimeters of electrode surface).
  • the efiiciency of the process is, to some extent, dependent on the current density used.
  • the current density should be from about 5 to 15 amperes/din
  • the etficiency falls as the current density is decreased.
  • Example 1 An electrolysis of acrylonitrile was conducted on a continuous basis in an apparatus of the type illustrated in the figure to produce adiponitrile.
  • the electrolysis cell utilized 185 milliliters of mercury as the cathode and for the anode a platinum wire was hooked to a platinum screen.
  • For the catholyte about 250 grams of approximately a forty percent solution of tetracthylammonium paratoluene-sulfonate was employed and grams of acrylonitrile was added thereto.
  • an approximately thirty-five percent solution of the same salt was employed in an amount of 70 milliliters.
  • the boiler contents were diluted with 220 milliliters methylene dichloride, washed three times with'75 milliliters water, and dried over calcium sulfate.
  • the methylene chloride was removed by distillation to leave 170 grams of higher boiling material.
  • the material was analyzed by vapor-phase chromatography to show that it contained 19.2 grams of adiponitrile.
  • the organic layer in the electrolysis cell was similarly treated to give about 340 grams of organic material, of which 7.5 grams was adiponitrile.
  • the aqueous layer in the electrolysis cell was diluted with 300 milliliters of water, washed three times with portions of methylene dichloride, and dried over calcium sulfate and concentrated to about 31 grame by distilling off the methylene dichloride. This residue contained less than a gram of adiponitrile.
  • Example 2 Acrylonitrile was continuously hydrodimerized in apparatus of the type described in Example I.
  • a cathode milliliters mercury was employed, and the catholyte was composed of approximately 250 grams of aqueous tetraethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate solution of a concentration such thatit did not quite dissolve the 75 grams of acrylonitrile employed, as an upper layer of about 1.5 inches acrylonitrile was present.
  • About 200 milliliters acrylonitrile was placed in the boiler.
  • the anode employed was a platinum screen to which the platinum lead wire was attached by a glass-sealed contact.
  • aqueous tetraethylammonium ptoluenesulfonate was employed as anolyte.
  • the cooling-water was circulated through the condenser and distillation of the acrylonitrile from the boiler was commenced to start the circulation of the solvent for the extraction phase of the procedure.
  • electrolysis was conducted at 3 to 4 amperes for 6 hours.
  • the acrylonitrile layer and the aqueous catholyte were removed and separated without distillation.
  • the acrylonitrile layer was washed with an alkaline aqueous solution, dried over calcium sulfate and then part of the acrylonitrile was stripped therefrom by'distillation.
  • the residue of 96 grams was analyzed by vapor phase chromatography which showed it was 1.7% adiponitrile.
  • the 'boiler material was diluted with water, extracted with methylene dichloride and dried over calcium sulfate.
  • the methylene dichloride was removed by distillation to leave 114 grams of material which vapor phase chromatography showed to be 25% .adiponitrile. Attempted isolation of adiponitrile from the aqueous catholyte indicated that no adiponitrile had remained in that layer of the system.
  • acrylonitrile in the above examples is exemplary and that other olefinic compounds can be reductively coupled or hydrodimcrized in similar procedures.
  • solutions of salts such as tetraethylammon ium p-toluenesulfonate or tetraethylammoniummethylsulfate, should be used in such concentration as required to dissolve 20 to 30% of the olefin, which will generally require that 20 to 50% or so of the salt and water content be salt, or with some salts that'as much as 70% be salt or that auxiliary solvents be provided.
  • either or both of the olefinic compounds can be provided in excess of solubility in the'electrolyte and utilized asthe extracting solvent.
  • this-limited solubility also provides another way in some cases of insuring only a low concentration of the donor-to-be molecule.
  • the extracting solvent mustbe capable of dissolving and extracting the coupled product from the electrolyte, but in general the coupled product will have a fair degree of solubility in the olefinic monomers.
  • the extracting solvent it will be necessary that theextracting solvent have a lower specific gravity than the catholyte, but the olefinic compounds employed are generally characterized by lower specific gravity than aqueous electrolytes.
  • organic solvents in conjunction with the olefinic compounds as extracting solvent, provided that such organic solvent should not extract the olefinic compound from the catholyte to such a degree that reductive coupling cannot be ellfected at' a suitable rate.
  • a second distillation zone to remove the donor-to-be from the product subsequent to removing the acceptorto-be in a first distillation zone, and to recycle both distillatcs; or, in this latter case it might be preferable to simply add donor-to-be, continuously or intermittently, to the electrolyte during the electrolysis and to separate the donor-to-be from the product for re-use only as convenient in the normal procedures for isolating and purifying the product.
  • Example 3 For this procedure, a cell similar to that illustrated in the figure is suitable, except that the equipment providing for overflow, extraction, distillation and return of distillate is not necessary; i.e., the overflow tube, washer, boiler, condenser and disperser can be dispensed with and the electrolysis can be conducted in a vessel having an opening only at the top, although an opening at the bottom provided with a stopcock. or valve may be convenient to permit emptying the contents after the electrolysis.
  • Acrylonitrile was hydrodimerized in a procedure em ploying as catholyte 195 grams of 34.7 weight percent tetraethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate containing 44 grams acrylonitrile.
  • cathode 110 milliliters mercury was employed. A current of'3 amperes was used for the electrolysis for about three hours, with the cathode voltage (vs. saturated calomel electrode) being -1.82.
  • the catholyte (containing acrylonitrile as well as product) was transferred to another container and extracted with a 100 milliliter portion of acrylonitrile. The resulting acrylonitrile solution was then washed twice with 10 milliliter portions of water, and 4.5 grams salt was obtained.
  • the acrylonitrile solution was then dried over calcium sulfate and part of the acrylonitrile was removed by distillation to leave 42 grams of material, which analyzed by vapor phase chromatography as 23.6% adi-
  • the aqueous catholyte was then extracted a number of times with methylene dichloride, and after the bulk ofthe methylene dichloride was distilled oil, 43 grams of material remained, but vapor phase chromatography indicated only about 5% or about 2.2 grams was adiponitrile.
  • a simple washing procedure with acrylonitrile removes practically all of the product from the electrolyte, and removes very little of the electrolytic salt. Additional extractions with acrylonitrile could be employed to remove substantially all of the adiponitrile from the electrolyte.
  • the improvement which comprises employing liquid olefinic compound which is being reductively coupled in an amount greater than its solubility in the aqeous salt electrolyte solution so as to form a liquid. supernatant layer above the aqueous salt electrolyte solution during the electrolysis and removing liquid supernatant layer along with reduced coupled product dissolved therein.
  • the method of producing a reduced coupled product of olefinic compounds which comprises subjecting an aqueous salt electrolyte solution of olefinic compound from the group consisting falpha,beta olefinic nitriles, esters and carboxamides and mixtures of the same to electrolysis by passing electric current through the solution in contact with a cathode having a hydrogen over-voltage greater than that of copper, causing development of the cathode potential required for hydrodimerization of at least one selected olefinic compound, the solution having a non-acidic pH and comprising at least by weight of olefinic compound dissolved therein and sufficient of a liquid olefinic compound which is being reductively coupled to provide a liquid supernatant layer of olefinic compound above the surface thereof during electrolysis, and removing the liquid supernatant layer along with reduced, coupled product dissolved therein.
  • aqueous salt electrolyte solution is non-acidic and has a pH below about 9.5 and the concentration of the acrylonitrile in the aqueous salt electrolyte solution is greater than 10% by weight, and the cathode has a hydrogen over-voltage greater than that of copper.

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  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
US189072A 1960-12-12 1962-04-20 Electrolytic hydrodimerization process and extraction procedure Expired - Lifetime US3193477A (en)

Priority Applications (15)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL291762D NL291762A (ja) 1962-04-20
BE631302D BE631302A (ja) 1962-04-20
US189072A US3193477A (en) 1962-04-20 1962-04-20 Electrolytic hydrodimerization process and extraction procedure
CH1211862A CH433232A (de) 1960-12-12 1962-10-16 Verfahren zur Herstellung von Hydrodimeren von olefinischen Nitrilen
NO14723963A NO117241B (ja) 1962-04-20 1963-01-24
NO148344A NO117298B (ja) 1962-04-20 1963-04-18
AT314663A AT244992B (de) 1962-04-20 1963-04-18 Verfahren zum elektrolytischen, reduzierenden Kuppeln von olefinischen Verbindungen und Elektrolysezelle zur Durchführung dieses Verfahrens
SE4352/63A SE312330B (ja) 1962-04-20 1963-04-19
GB15582/63A GB1041462A (en) 1962-04-20 1963-04-19 Process and apparatus for the electrolytic reductive coupling of olefinic compounds
CH490663A CH433298A (fr) 1962-04-20 1963-04-19 Procédé de préparation par électrolyse réductrice de combinaisons hydrogénées et cellule d'électrolyse pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé
LU43591D LU43591A1 (ja) 1962-04-20 1963-04-19
DK183663AA DK129412B (da) 1962-04-20 1963-04-19 Fremgangsmåde til fremstilling af adiponitril ved elektrolytisk hydrodimerisation af acrylonitril.
FR932005A FR1363242A (fr) 1962-04-20 1963-04-19 Procédé et appareil pour des réactions de combinaisons réductrices, en particulier pour l'hydrodimérisation de composés oléfiniques
DEM56556A DE1299291B (de) 1962-04-20 1963-04-20 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Isolierung von Adipinsaeuredinitril aus Gemischen der elektrolytischen hydrierenden Dimerisierung von Acrylnitril
US468997A US3274084A (en) 1962-04-20 1965-07-01 Electrolytic reductive coupling process

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Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3484348A (en) * 1964-04-27 1969-12-16 Monsanto Co Quaternary ammonium salt recovery
US3489789A (en) * 1964-04-16 1970-01-13 Ici Australia Ltd Process for the reductive dimerization of alpha,beta-olefinicallyunsaturated nitriles or esters
US3492209A (en) * 1963-11-04 1970-01-27 Hooker Chemical Corp Hydrodimerization in a wicking type cell
US3497429A (en) * 1965-12-03 1970-02-24 Asahi Chemical Ind Electrolytic method of manufacturing hydrodimer of acrylonitrile
US3497430A (en) * 1966-09-14 1970-02-24 Continental Oil Co Electrochemical reduction of ketones to pinacols
US3531387A (en) * 1967-10-27 1970-09-29 Universal Oil Prod Co Production of olefinic hydrocarbons
US3542656A (en) * 1967-01-11 1970-11-24 Basf Ag Production of cyclohexadiene dicarboxylic acids
US3545006A (en) * 1967-05-25 1970-12-01 Hooker Chemical Corp Electrolytic hydrodimerization
US3642592A (en) * 1968-03-16 1972-02-15 Basf Ag Production of adiponitrile
US4127454A (en) * 1976-10-05 1978-11-28 Ouchi Shinko Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Preparation of benzothiazolylsulfenamides
US4931155A (en) * 1989-05-19 1990-06-05 Southwestern Analytical Chemicals, Inc. Electrolytic reductive coupling of quaternary ammonium compounds

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1157442A (en) * 1964-11-24 1969-07-09 Ici Ltd Reductive Dimerisation of Olefinic Compounds

Citations (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2632729A (en) * 1949-07-02 1953-03-24 Rohm & Haas Polymerization by glow-discharge electrolysis
US2700021A (en) * 1950-11-18 1955-01-18 Gen Aniline & Film Corp Process for reducing cyclooctatetraene
US2726204A (en) * 1949-04-14 1955-12-06 Monsanto Chemicals Polymerization process
US2749293A (en) * 1952-11-26 1956-06-05 Wisconsin Alumni Res Found Electrolytic hydrogenation process
CA566274A (en) * 1958-11-18 Sun Oil Company Polymerization of ethylene
US2944957A (en) * 1957-10-03 1960-07-12 Du Pont Electrolytic drying apparatus
US2972573A (en) * 1958-10-28 1961-02-21 Jetmould Inc Electrolytic cell

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA566274A (en) * 1958-11-18 Sun Oil Company Polymerization of ethylene
US2726204A (en) * 1949-04-14 1955-12-06 Monsanto Chemicals Polymerization process
US2632729A (en) * 1949-07-02 1953-03-24 Rohm & Haas Polymerization by glow-discharge electrolysis
US2700021A (en) * 1950-11-18 1955-01-18 Gen Aniline & Film Corp Process for reducing cyclooctatetraene
US2749293A (en) * 1952-11-26 1956-06-05 Wisconsin Alumni Res Found Electrolytic hydrogenation process
US2944957A (en) * 1957-10-03 1960-07-12 Du Pont Electrolytic drying apparatus
US2972573A (en) * 1958-10-28 1961-02-21 Jetmould Inc Electrolytic cell

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3492209A (en) * 1963-11-04 1970-01-27 Hooker Chemical Corp Hydrodimerization in a wicking type cell
US3489789A (en) * 1964-04-16 1970-01-13 Ici Australia Ltd Process for the reductive dimerization of alpha,beta-olefinicallyunsaturated nitriles or esters
US3484348A (en) * 1964-04-27 1969-12-16 Monsanto Co Quaternary ammonium salt recovery
US3497429A (en) * 1965-12-03 1970-02-24 Asahi Chemical Ind Electrolytic method of manufacturing hydrodimer of acrylonitrile
US3497430A (en) * 1966-09-14 1970-02-24 Continental Oil Co Electrochemical reduction of ketones to pinacols
US3542656A (en) * 1967-01-11 1970-11-24 Basf Ag Production of cyclohexadiene dicarboxylic acids
US3545006A (en) * 1967-05-25 1970-12-01 Hooker Chemical Corp Electrolytic hydrodimerization
US3531387A (en) * 1967-10-27 1970-09-29 Universal Oil Prod Co Production of olefinic hydrocarbons
US3642592A (en) * 1968-03-16 1972-02-15 Basf Ag Production of adiponitrile
US4127454A (en) * 1976-10-05 1978-11-28 Ouchi Shinko Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Preparation of benzothiazolylsulfenamides
US4931155A (en) * 1989-05-19 1990-06-05 Southwestern Analytical Chemicals, Inc. Electrolytic reductive coupling of quaternary ammonium compounds

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BE631302A (ja)
NL291762A (ja)
NO117298B (ja) 1969-07-28
AT244992B (de) 1966-02-10
CH433298A (fr) 1967-04-15
SE312330B (ja) 1969-07-14
DK129412B (da) 1974-10-07
DK129412C (ja) 1975-04-21
DE1299291B (de) 1969-07-17
GB1041462A (en) 1966-09-07
LU43591A1 (ja) 1963-10-19

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