Selective hydrogenation of aliphatic dinitriles to omega-aminonitriles in ammonia with supported, finely dispersed rhodium-containing catalyst

摘要

A dinitrile is hydrogenated to an omega-aminonitrile with hydrogen with a supported highly dispersed rhodium catalyst and only ammonia present. The catalyst is prepared by hydrolyzing a rhodium(III) halide or nitrate with strong aqueous base at elevated temperatures, drying the supported rhodium hydroxide at elevated temperatures and intimately contacting with hydrogen the dried product with hydrogen at 260 DEG -360 DEG C. High conversions, selectivity to aminonitrile and long catalyst service times and catalyst recyclability are achieved in the absence of an aprotic solvent.