American Cyanamid Company

Maine

John A Fetchin

William Frank Marzluff

William Austin Barber

Kin H Tsu

For preparing supported catalysts containing cobalt or nickel and molybdenum, using single solution impregnation, stable solutions of cobalt or nickel complexed with carboxylic acids are compatible with ammonium molybdate and result is superior catalysts.

Preparation of CoMo and NiMo catalyst using cobalt or nickel complexes

Solid catalyst of reduced copper magnesium silicate type is improved for its use in catalytic hydration of acrylonitrile to make acrylamide by calcining the catalyst prior to such use. Calcining strengthens the catalyst particles for longer catalyst life in the reactor and slows the rate of decay of catalytic activity so the average productivity over the life of the catalyst is improved.

Catalyst for hydration of nitriles

Copper-magnesium silicate-carbonate catalysts of improved activity and catalyst life for use in continuous hydration of acrylonitrile to acrylamide are prepared by a novel method in which magnesium and copper are precipitated separately in a common mother liquor and the precipitate is separated and dried at 170.degree.-200.degree. C. before pelleting. Pellets made from the dried powder, when reduced and calcined for use in the hydration reaction have better combination of catalytic properties than prior art catalysts of the type.

Catalyst preparation method

Hydration of nitriles, e.g. acrylonitrile, with water in presence of a catalyst comprising catalytic elemental copper prepared by reduction of a copper compound, e.g. copper sulfate, by means of a solution of soluble strong reducing agent, e.g. aqueous solution of sodium borohydride, is described. The copper is thus produced in very fine particulate form having unusually high catalytic activity by comparison with other copper catalyst. Improvements in the reduction are accomplished in alkaline, (e.g. NaOH), solutions and even further in alkaline solution comprising a reducing sugar, e.g. dextrose, in the solution with the strong reducing agent.

Copper catalyst for hydration of nitriles to amides

Homogeneous catalyst for hydration of nitriles to produce amides comprises reduced copper with at least 0.2 percent by weight of reduced iron. Preferred catalysts prepared by reduction of copper and iron compounds with borohydride reducing agent have improved stability of catalytic activity during storage as compared with copper catalysts made without iron.

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Stamford, CT, United States of America

John A Fetchin