Transport of hydrogen cyanide - in the form of a reversible reaction product

摘要

HCN is transported from point A to point B by first reacting the HCN with a reactant X to form a cpd. Y at point A, then transporting the cpd. Y to point B, and then converting cpd. Y back to HCN and reactant X at point B. The process is esp. useful for transporting by-produced HCN, e.g. from an acrylonitrile plant, to a plant where it is used as a raw material, e.g. for producing CNCl, cyanuric chloride, amino acids or methacrylates. The hazards involved in transporting highly toxic HCN, e.g. in tankers, can be avoided by converting it into a relatively nontoxic cpd. Y. In an example, HCN is reacted with acetone to form alpha-hydroxyisobutyronitrile, which is then cleaved with NaOH.