HOMOGENEOUS CATALYSTS USEFUL IN THE REDUCTION OF NITROPARAFFINS TO AMINES

摘要

1330274 Reduction of nitroparaffins to amines TEXACO DEVELOPMENT CORP 28 Feb 1972 [4 March 1971] 9064/72 Heading C2C Aliphatic nitroparaffins having at least 3 carbon atoms are hydrogenated to the corresponding amines in the presence of a catalytic quantity of at least one homogeneous transition metal complex catalyst in a strongly alkaline substantially non-aqueous medium in the presence of a substantially hydrogen atmosphere at a pressure of at least 100 p.s.i.g. Specified nitroparaffins are the nitrobutanes to nitrododecanes and may be cyclic. Inert diluents may be present. The preferred temperature is 35-135‹ C. The catalyst is a complex of a metal from Groups IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, VIIa and VIII of the Periodic Table, a noble metal or mercury or mixtures thereof; preferably Fe or Ru. Preferred complexes are those with carbonyl, organic carbonyl, acid, amine or nitrosyl ligands and/or a ligand containing a donor atom of Group IVb, Vb or VIb of the Periodic Table, e.g. organic phosphines and arsines; anionic ligands include Cl, Br, CN, NCO, and acetate. Specific complexes are listed. The medium may be made alkaline by the presence of alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkoxides and carbonates, or nitrogen bases. Examples prepare C 10-14 alkylamines, cyclohexylamine, dodecylamine, C 16-20 alkylamines and propylamine.