Olin Corporation

Kimberly A Thomas

Eugene F Rothgery

David F Gavin

The present invention relates to a continuous process for making an alkali metal azide or an alkaline earth metal azide which comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a first reaction mixture comprising an alkali metal nitrite or alkaline earth metal nitrite, a C1--C3 alkanol, and a high boiling acid in a first reactor to form a gaseous C1-C3 alkyl nitrite, (b) controllably feeding said gaseous C1-C3 alkyl nitrite into a second reactor and reacting in a controlled manner a second reaction mixture comprising said gaseous C1-C3 alkyl nitrite, hydrazine, and an alkali metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide, in the presence of an organic solvent, thereby producing an alkali metal azide or alkaline earth metal azide, and (c) removing said alkali metal azide or alkaline earth metal azide from said second reactor and replenishing said reaction mixture in said second reactor to provide a continuous, controlled process for producing said alkali metal azide or alkaline earth metal azide.

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New Haven, CT, United States of America

Kimberly A Thomas