METHOD FOR SEMI-HYDROGENATION OF DINITRILES Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: organic chemistry, chemical technology. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to method for semi-hydrogenation of dinitriles of the formula: NC-R-CN wherein R means direct or branched alkylene group comprising from 1 to 12 carbon atoms to corresponding aminonitriles. Reaction is carried out in liquid medium at enhanced temperatures and pressure. Process is carried out in the presence of catalyst based on Raney nickel or cobalt containing at least one metal taken among copper, silver and gold in the presence of alkaline or alkaline-earth metal hydroxide. Catalyst can comprise one or some additional alloying additions taken among titanium, chrome, iron, zirconium, vanadium, manganese, bismuth, tantalum, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, platinum, palladium, niobium, hafnium and rare-earth elements and also cobalt when catalyst is Raney nickel and nickel when catalyst is Raney cobalt. Method provides reducing content of impurities of imine type that, in particular, cause coloring and branching in the polymerization process of caprolactam (prepared by hydrolysis of adiponitrile) in the case of their presence in the latter. EFFECT: improved preparing method. 20 cl