Lonza Inc.

Karl-Josef Boosen

Francois Moulin

Process for the production of an .alpha.-cyano-.gamma.-halo acetoacetic compound of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein X is halogen, R is --NR.sub.1 R.sub.2, --NHR.sub.3 or --O--R.sub.4, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 form a morpholino or piperidino heterocyclic group with the N in --NR.sub.1 R.sub.2, R.sub.3 is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms or aryl, and R.sub.4 is alkyl having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or aryl. The process includes reacting an alkali metal alcoholate and the haloacetoacetic compound of the formula: ##STR2## wherein X and R are the same as defined above. A metal salt of the haloacetoacetic compound of the formula: ##STR3## wherein X and R are the same as defined above and wherein the metal in the metal salt is an alkali metal, results. Then the metal salt of the haloacetoacetic compound and a halo cyanogen in an inert solvent are reacted.

Process for the production of .alpha.-cyano-.gamma.-haloacetoacetic

The process for the production of a cyanopyridine by the conversion of a monoalkylpyridine, the alkyl having one to four carbon atoms, with (a) oxygen or air and (b) ammonia in the gaseous phase in the presence of one of several specific catalysts is known. The improvement involves the use of a catalyst which consists of pure V.sub.2 O.sub.5 having a grain size of 50 to 500.mu. and a specific surface of up to 10 m.sup.2 /g and conducting the reaction at a temperature which is calculated according to the formula T = S.m + b, wherein T is the reaction temperature in .degree.C., S is the specific surface of the catalyst in m.sup.2 /g, m is a factor of -4 to -6 and b a number from 320 to 322. Preferably the catalyst has a grain size of 100 to 250.mu.. The molar ratio of the air to the monoalkylpyridine can be from 80:1 to 300:1, and preferably is from 150:1 to 260:1. The molar ratio of the ammonia to the monoalkylpyridine can be from 3.5:1 to 12:1, and preferably is from 4:1 to 9:1. The reaction contact time is between 0.5 and 5 seconds. The monoalkylpyridine is preferably monomethylpyridine. The reaction can, for example, be conducted in a fluidized bed. Also, any excess and/or unconverted ammonia can be recycled and used as part of the ammonia feed.

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Erlach, Switzerland

Karl-Josef Boosen