METHOD FOR CATALYTIC CONVERSION OF 2-HYDROXY-4-METHYLTHIOBUTANE NITRILE (HMTBN) TO 2-HYDROXY-4-METHYLTHIOBUTANE AMIDE (HMTBA) Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC C07C319/20 C07C323/60 B01J35/02 B01J23/34 B01J23/10 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to catalytic conversion of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile (HMTBN) to 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutane amide (HMTBA). The obtained HMTBA is further used to produce 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid (HMTBK) The method of converting HMTBN to HMTBA is carried out in the presence of a solid catalyst which contains an active phase. Said active phase includes at least one metal oxide selected from copper oxide, nickel oxide, iron oxide, zirconium oxide, manganese oxide, cerium oxide and combinations of said oxides. The catalyst is formed in the presence of at least one fluidising agent. The fluidising agent is selected particularly from zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, aluminium oxide, silicon dioxide, clay, such as bentonites and attapulgite. The formed catalyst is heat treated. Conversion is carried out in a medium which essentially does not contain a strong inorganic acid. The method of obtaining HMTBK involves the following steps: 1) converting HMTBN to HMTBA using the method described above; 2) converting HMTBA to HMTBK.

EFFECT: longer service life of the catalyst, possibility of conducting the reaction in a continuous-type reactor, limiting formation of by-products.

23 cl, 1 dwg, 1 tbl, 5 ex