Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing alkanolamines and/or ethyleneamines in the liquid phase, by reacting ethylene glycol and/or monoethanolamine with ammonia in the presence of an amination catalyst comprising Co, Ru and Sn.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for preparing alkanolamines and ethyleneamines in the liquid phase, by reacting ethylene glycol and/or monoethanolamine with ammonia in the presence of an amination catalyst comprising one or more active metals selected from Sn and the elements of groups 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, wherein the amination catalyst is obtained by reductive calcination of a catalyst precursor. The catalyst precursor here is preferably prepared by contacting a conventional or catalytic support material with one or more soluble compounds of the active metals and optionally one or more soluble compounds of added catalyst elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing ethylenediamine (EDA), where the process comprises the steps a) to c). In step a), formaldehyde is reacted with hydrocyanic acid (HCN) to form formaldehyde cyanohydrin (FACH), where the hydrocyanic acid is completely free or largely free of sulfur dioxide (SO2). The FACH prepared in this way is reacted with ammonia (NH3) to form aminoacetonitrile (AAN) in step b), whereupon a hydrogenation of AAN in the presence of a catalyst to form EDA is carried out in step c).

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of adiponitrile by hydrocyanation of 3-pentenenitrile is described, wherein a) 3-pentenenitrile is hydrocyanated to give a reaction output comprising adiponitrile, b) in a work-up 1, a mixture comprising cis-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile and cis-2-pentenenitrile is separated off as overhead product from the reaction output from the reactor R1 in a first distillation apparatus, c) the mixture comprising cis-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile and cis-2-pentenenitrile from step b) is continuously isomerized in the presence of aluminum oxide as catalyst in a reactor R2 to give a product mixture comprising 3-pentenenitrile, d) cis-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile is separated off as overhead product from the reaction output from the reactor R2 in a distillation apparatus in a work-up 2 and discharged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying ethylenediamine (EDA) by distillation, wherein the process comprises the steps a) and b). In step a), a mixture (G1) comprising water, EDA and N-methylethylenediamine (N-MeEDA) is fed into a distillation apparatus (D1), and the major part of the water comprised in the mixture (G1) is separated off overhead at a pressure of greater than 4.8 bara. From the bottom of (D1), the water-enriched mixture (G2) is fed into a distillation apparatus (D2) in step b). At the top of (D2), the major part of the N-MeEDA is distilled off. The stream (S3) obtained from the bottom of (D2) comprises EDA, with the components water and N-MeEDA comprised in the mixture (G1) having been largely or completely removed. Further distillation steps can optionally be carried out in order to obtain pure EDA, for example when diethylenetriamine (DETA) is additionally comprised in the mixture (G1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying adiponitrile (ADN), wherein crude ADN is introduced into a rectification apparatus (R1). The rectification apparatus (R1) comprises a first side draw and preferably also a second side draw, the first side draw being disposed below the crude ADN introduction point and the optional second side draw being disposed above the crude ADN introduction point. The first side draw is used to draw off a gaseous stream comprising ADN while the optional second side draw is used to draw off undesired by-products such as 1-amino-2-cyanocyclopentene (ACCP) which are often generated in ADN production and consequently may be present in the crude ADN. The gaseous stream from the first side draw of (R1) is introduced into a second rectification apparatus (R2). (R2) is used to separate off ADN from remaining high boilers and any other by-products present, pure ADN being drawn off from (D2) as overhead product.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of adiponitrile by hydrocyanation of 3-pentenenitrile is described, wherein a) 3-pentenenitrile is hydrocyanated to give a reaction output comprising adiponitrile, b) in a work-up 1, a mixture comprising cis-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile and cis-2-pentenenitrile is separated off as overhead product from the reaction output from the reactor R1 in a first distillation apparatus, c) the mixture comprising cis-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile and cis-2-pentenenitrile from step b) is continuously isomerized in the presence of aluminum oxide as catalyst in a reactor R2 to give a product mixture comprising 3-pentenenitrile, d) cis-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile is separated off as overhead product from the reaction output from the reactor R2 in a distillation apparatus in a work-up 2 and discharged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying ethylenediamine (EDA) by distillation, wherein the process comprises the steps a) and b). In step a), a mixture (G1) comprising water, EDA and N-methylethylenediamine (N-MeEDA) is fed into a distillation apparatus (D1), and the major part of the water comprised in the mixture (G1) is separated off overhead at a pressure of greater than 4.8 bara. From the bottom of (D1), the water-enriched mixture (G2) is fed into a distillation apparatus (D2) in step b). At the top of (D2), the major part of the N-MeEDA is distilled off. The stream (S3) obtained from the bottom of (D2) comprises EDA, with the components water and N-MeEDA comprised in the mixture (G1) having been largely or completely removed. Further distillation steps can optionally be carried out in order to obtain pure EDA, for example when diethylenetriamine (DETA) is additionally comprised in the mixture (G1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying adiponitrile (ADN), wherein crude ADN is introduced into a rectification apparatus (R1). The rectification apparatus (R1) comprises a first side draw and preferably also a second side draw, the first side draw being disposed below the crude ADN introduction point and the optional second side draw being disposed above the crude ADN introduction point. The first side draw is used to draw off a gaseous stream comprising ADN while the optional second side draw is used to draw off undesired by-products such as 1-amino-2-cyanocyclopentene (ACCP) which are often generated in ADN production and consequently may be present in the crude ADN. The gaseous stream from the first side draw of (R1) is introduced into a second rectification apparatus (R2). (R2) is used to separate off ADN from remaining high boilers and any other by-products present, pure ADN being drawn off from (D2) as overhead product.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing 3-pentenenitrile, characterized by the following process steps: (a) isomerizing a reactant stream which comprises 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile over at least one dissolved or dispersed isomerization catalyst to give a stream 1 which comprises the at least one isomerization catalyst, 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, 3-pentenenitrile and (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, (b) distilling stream 1 to obtain a stream 2 as the top product which comprises 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, 3-pentenenitrile and (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, and a stream 3 as the bottom product which comprises the at least one isomerization catalyst, (c) distilling stream 2 to obtain a stream 4 as the top product which, compared to stream 2, is enriched in (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, based on the sum of all pentenenitriles in stream 2, and a stream 5 as the bottom product which, compared to stream 2, is enriched in 3-pentenenitrile and 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, based on the sum of all pentenenitriles in stream 2, (d) dis

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to an improved process for exchanging sodium ions in zeolites comprising sodium ions and rare earth metal ions for ammonium ions. For this exchange, aqueous solutions of ammonium salts, for example ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate or ammonium chloride, are currently being used. The resulting “ammonium zeolites” are calcined to convert them, with release of ammonia, to the H form of the zeolites suitable as a catalyst. The use of ammonium carbonate also minimizes the amount of rare earth metal ions which are leached out of the zeolites comprising rare earth metal ions.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing 3-pentenenitrile, characterized by the following process steps: (a) isomerizing a reactant stream which comprises 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile over at least one dissolved or dispersed isomerization catalyst to give a stream 1 which comprises the at least one isomerization catalyst, 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, 3-pentenenitrile and (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, (b) distilling stream 1 to obtain a stream 2 as the top product which comprises 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, 3-pentenenitrile and (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, and a stream 3 as the bottom product which comprises the at least one isomerization catalyst, (c) distilling stream 2 to obtain a stream 4 as the top product which, compared to stream 2, is enriched in (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, based on the sum of all pentenenitriles in stream 2, and a stream 5 as the bottom product which, compared to stream 2, is enriched in 3-pentenenitrile and 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, based on the sum of all pentenenitriles in stream 2, (d) dis

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for vaporizing organic compounds and the further conversion thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing ethylenediamine (EDA), where the process comprises the steps a) to c). In step a), formaldehyde is reacted with hydrocyanic acid (HCN) to form formaldehyde cyanohydrin (FACH), where the hydrocyanic acid is completely free or largely free of sulfur dioxide (SO2). The FACH prepared in this way is reacted with ammonia (NH3) to form aminoacetonitrile (AAN) in step b), whereupon a hydrogenation of AAN in the presence of a catalyst to form EDA is carried out in step c).

Abstract: A process for preparing EDDN and/or EDMN by conversion of FA, HCN and EDA, the reaction being effected in the presence of water, and, after the conversion, water being depleted from the reaction mixture in a distillation column, which comprises performing the distillation in the presence of an organic solvent which has a boiling point between water and EDDN and/or EDMN at the distillation pressure existing in the column or which forms a low-boiling azeotrope with water.

Abstract: A process for reacting formaldehyde cyanohydrin (FACH) with ethylenediamine (EDA) in a reactor with limited backmixing at a temperature in the range from 20 to 120° C., wherein the residence time in the reactor is 300 seconds or less.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating the output from the reaction of EDDN or EDMN with hydrogen in the presence of THF, a catalyst, TETA or DETA, water, and optionally organic compounds having higher and lower boiling points than TETA or DETA. Hydrogen is removed, and the output is supplied to a distillation column DK1 in which an azeotrope, optionally comprising organic compounds with a boiling point lower than TETA or DETA, is removed from the top. A product comprising TETA or DETA is removed from the bottom and passed into a distillation column DK2, removing THF. A stream comprising TETA or DETA passes from the bottom of DK2. The DK1 azeotrope is condensed. Phase separation is induced by the addition of an organic solvent essentially immiscible with water, and the mixture is separated. The organic phase is recycled into DK1 and the water phase is discharged.

Abstract: A process for reacting ethylenediamine-formaldehyde adduct (EDFA) and/or ethylene-diamine-monoformaldehyde adduct (EDMFA) with hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in a reactor with limited backmixing at a temperature in the range from 20 to 120° C., wherein the residence time in the reactor is 300 seconds or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for batchwise or continuous isomerization of cis-2-pentenenitrile to 3-pentenenitriles in the presence of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane as catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for batchwise or continuous isomerization of cis-2-pentenenitrile to 3-pentenenitriles in the presence of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane as catalyst.