Selective conversion of acrylonitrile into 1,4-dicyano-1-butene catalyzed by plymer-bound alkyl diarylphosphinites

摘要

Selective conversion of acrylonitrile into 1,4-dicyano-1-butene by contacting a liquid phase comprising acrylonitrile with an effective amount of a polymer-bound alkyl diarylphosphinite catalyst having the formula I: <IMAGE> I wherein the trivalent phosphorus is substituted by one alkoxy group and one aryl group and wherein the third bond of phosphorus is a P-C bond to a pendant aryl group of the polymer matrix, such as polystyrene cross-linked with divinylbenzene is disclosed. Treatment of the liquid phase, prior to contacting same with the polymer-bound catalyst, with a drying agent comprising a polymer-bound dialkyl arylphosphonite and regeneration of the drying agent are also disclosed.