Conversion of succinonitrile to 2-pyrrolidone - by hydrolysis followed by hydrogenation over a heterogeneous catalyst

摘要

2-Pyrrolidone is produced by (a) hydrolysing succinonitrile with water at 150-300 (180-250) degrees C and 100-10,000 psig., and (b) hydrogenating the hydrolysis prod. at 200-300 degrees C and 100-10,000 psig. over a heterogeneous catalyst. Pref. step (b) is carried out in the presence of >=0.1 mol. NH3 and 1-400 mols. water per mol. hydrolysed succinonitrile. 2-Pyrrolidone is produced in high yield and may be used to mfr. polypyrrolidone (nylon-4). Pref. catalyst is Ru on a zirconia support.