Suntech, Inc.

Sun Ventures, Inc.

Wesley R Cherry

Walter A Butte, Jr

Alan F Dickason

In a cyanoalkylation process involving the reaction of a cyanoalkene compound such as acrylonitrile with a compound containing a labile hydrogen such as ethylene glycol, to form a cyanoalkylated product such as 3,3'-ethylenedioxy-bis(propionitrile), the reaction is carried out in the presence of cyanoalkylated product in addition to the cyanoalkylated product which is formed in situ by reaction of the reactants. High yields of cyanoalkylated product and low formation of by-products are obtained.

Cyanoalkylation process

In a cyanoalkylation process involving the reaction of a cyanoalkene compound such as acrylonitrile with a compound containing a labile hydrogen such as ethylene glycol, to form a cyanoalkylated product such as 3,3'-ethylenedioxybis(propionitrile), the conversion of the cyanoalkene is limited to about 60 to 96%, preferably 70 to 85%, whereby the formation of byproducts is reduced from that which is obtained when the conversion of the cyanoalkene is greater than about 96%.

High selectivity cyanoalkylation process

A catalyst comprising A--V--P, where A is an alkaline earth metal, has been found to be effective in the oxidation of butane to maleic anhydride. The catalyst may be employed in combination with an inert support such as TiO.sub.2. This catalyst is characterized in having high selectivity and stability over extended periods of time.

Oxidation of butane to maleic anhydride

An improvement in the cyanoethylation process using a bed of basic ion exchange resin catalyst wherein the conversion of the acrylonitrile is limited to the range between from about 60% to about 96%. A monoadduct intermediate can be recycled. As a result of the limitation to the conversion selectivity as to the desired product is in excess of 95%. The improved process, e.g., has a selectivity of 98% when the conversion is about 82% and the reactants are acrylonitrile and ethylene glycol.

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Prospect Park, PA, United States of America

Wesley R Cherry