PROCESSES AND CATALYSTS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 2,2'-BIPYRIDYLS

摘要

Processes for the preparation of 2,2'-bipyridyls by reacting a pyridine base in the presence of a nickel catalyst which comprises a significant amount of elemental nickel bound on a suitable support. In one embodiment the coupling reaction takes place in several reactor designs at a temperature of about 200-240.degree.C and a pressure sufficient to maintain at least some of the base in a liquid state during the reaction. In other preferred embodiments, processes for preparing 2,2'-bipyridyls are conducted at a temperature between about 175-240.degree.C. These latter processes require that the nickel have a high specific Ni surface area.