Stamicarbon B.v.

Peter J Meijer

Leonardus H Geurts

Johannes G Nieuwkamp

Annita M Vanholsaet

Erik T Wolters

An improved process for the preparation of 2-pyrrolidone by the liquid phase hydrogenation of succinonitrile in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and ammonia, whereafter the resulting hydrogenation product is hydrolyzed with water. A hydrogenation catalyst in the form of a fixed bed is used, and a liquid phase of succinonitrile and liquid ammonia is passed over the catalyst at a temperature of between 50.degree. and 130.degree. C.

Process for preparing 2-pyrrolidone

A two-stage process for the conversion of certain esters of delta-keto carboxylic acids to the corresponding resorcinol is described, using a first vapor phase stage for cyclization to a dihydroresorcinol followed by a second liquid phase dehydrogenation, in the presence of unconverted ester, to form the resorcinol product.

Process for the preparation of resorcinol or alkylsubstituted

A process is described for preparing N-substituted pyrrolidones from succinonitriles by hydrogenation and hydrolysis.

Process for the preparation of N-substituted 2-pyrrolidones

2-PYRROLIDONE OR A SUBSTITUTED 2-PYRROLIDONE IS PREPARED IN HIGH YIELDS BY HYDROGENATING SUCCINONITRILE, OR AN ALKYL-SUBSTITUTED SUCCINONITRILE, AT 50.degree.-200.degree. C. in the liquid phase, in the presence of ammonia and with a partial hydrogen pressure of about 1-50 atmospheres, then the reaction mixture is contacted with water at 100.degree.-300.degree. C. and the desired product recovered.

Growing community of inventors

Munstergeleen, Netherlands

Peter J Meijer