Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Thomas A Albanese

Richard Van Carr

Thomas A Johnson

Steven M Galaton

Carl J Martin

Roland Gonzalez

This invention relates to a process for the separation of acrylonitrile used in the cyanoethylation of glycols to produce a bis(cyanoethylated) aliphatic glycol from the resulting glycol which is then reduced with hydrogen to produce the corresponding bis(aminopropoxy) alkane. In this process, acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile is reacted with an aliphatic glycol in stoichiometric excess and the acrylonitrile removed from the cyanoethylated glycol by reaction with aliphatic primary or secondary alcohol prior to effecting the hydrogenation of the cyanoethylated aliphatic glycol in the presence of the acrylonitrile-amine reaction product. The reaction product then can be separated by conventional techniques such as distillation.

Process for the preparation of bis(aminopropoxy)alkanes

This invention relates to a process for the separation of acrylonitrile used in the cyanoethylation of glycols to produce a bis(cyanoethylated) aliphatic glycol from the resulting glycol which is then reduced with hydrogen to produce the corresponding bis(aminopropyl) aliphatic glycol. In this process, acrylonitrile is reacted with an aliphatic glycol in stoichiometric excess and the acrylonitrile removed from the cyanoethylated glycol by reaction with aliphatic primary or secondary amine prior to effecting the hydrogenation of the cyanoethylated aliphatic glycol in the presence of the acrylonitrile-amine reaction product. The reaction product then can be separated by conventional techniques such as distillation.

Process for the preparation of bis(aminopropyl)aliphatic glycols

This invention relates to a process for removing trinitrocresols and picric acid contaminants from a wastewater stream generated in the production of nitroaromatics, particularly dinitrotoluene, by the mixed acid technique. The process involves contacting the crude dinitrotoluene generated by the mixed acid technique with an alkaline medium to generate an alkaline wash water containing water soluble nitrocresols and picric acid therein. This wastewater then, is separated from the organic component or may be recycled for contact with further quantities of crude dinitrotoluene product from the reactor. When the concentration of the water soluble salts of trinitrocresols and picric acid is of sufficient concentration, the wash water is treated with aqueous acid in sufficient proportion to reduce the pH to a level from 3-4. After pH adjustment, the medium is contacted with hydrogen peroxide and a ferrous ion under conditions to effect oxidation of a substantial portion of the trinitrocresol to carboxylic acid, nitric acid and carbon dioxide.

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Allentown, PA, United States of America

Thomas A Albanese