SYNTHESIS OF BUTYRONITRILE VIA AMMONOLYSIS OF BUTYLALCOHOL AND DEHYDROGENATION OF BUTYLAMINE OVER MO2N

Investigations were carried out of the synthesis of butyronitrile via the ammonolysis of butylalcohol and the dehydrogenation of butylamine aver Mo2N. At 573 K butyronitrile is produced with virtually 100% yield by both reactions. The ammonolysis of butyalcohol proceeds via dehydrogenation of the butylalcohol to form butyraldehyde, which then reacts with ammonia to produce butylimine. Butyronitrile is formed by butylimine dehydrogenation. The formation of butyronitrile from butylamine occurs via the stepwise dehydrogenation of the amine. The presence of ammonia in the gas phase suppresses the hydrogenolysis of either butylalcohol or bulylamine. © 1993 Academic Press, Inc.