Method for preparing alpha beta-unsaturated nitriles.

摘要

A method for preparing an alpha , beta -unsaturated nitrile comprises bringing an alpha -oxycarboxylic acid amide represented by the following general formula: wherein R' and R'' each represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, with the proviso that at least one of R' and R'' represents an alkyl group, into contact with a solid acid catalyst with heating in the presence of water in a molar ratio of not more than 15 with respect to the alpha -oxycarboxylic acid amide. The method makes it possible to directly produce an alpha , beta -unsaturated nitrile at high yield and high selectivity utilizing an alpha -oxycarboxylic acid amide as a starting material, which can easily be obtained from an alpha -oxynitrile.