The Process of Acetonitrile Synthesis over γ-Al[2]O[3] Promoted by Phosphoric Acid Catalysts

Abstract

The influence of principal parameters (reaction temperature, ratio of acetic acid and ammonia, composition of reactionary mixture and promotion of catalysts) on the selectivity and yield of the desired product was studied in the reaction of catalytic acetonitrile synthesis by ammonolysis of acetic acid. The processing of [gamma]-Al[2]O[3] by phosphoric acid increases amount of the centers, on which carries out reaction of acetamide dehydration. The kinetic model of a limiting stage of reaction - the acetamide dehydration to acetonitrile was suggested. In the process of ammonolysis of acetic acid it was demonstrated that the use of catalysts promoted by phosphoric acid and ratio NH[3]:CH[3]COOH=(3-4):1 at temperatures of a reactor 360-390°С leads to the increase of acetonitrile productivity to 0.7-0.8 g/cm{3}·h and allows to minimize formation of by-products.