Process for the preparation of acyl amides by subjecting nitriles to catalytic hydration.

摘要

The invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of acyl amides by subjecting nitriles to hydration in the presence of a copper-containing catalyst. According to the invention hydration is performed in the presence of a catalyst prepared by admixing an aqueous solution comprising an alkali metal vanadate and an alkali metal silicate in a weight ratio of 1 : (1-2.5) with 0.1 to 1.2 moles, calculated for 1 mole of alkali metal silicate, of a water soluble magnesium and/or calcium compound and with a water soluble copper(II) compound to adjust the weight ratio of V : Cu, expressed as metal, to (1:0.3) to (1:4.5), separating the resulting precipitate, admizing 0.7 to 3 parts by weight, calculated for 1 part by weight of Cu ion, of metallic copper to the wet precipitate and drying the resulting mixture at a temperature not exceeding 200C.