Abstract: A process for preparing an alpha aminonitrile comprises providing a cyclic or acyclic aliphatic ketone in a reactor, adding ammonia to the reactor, mixing the ketone and the ammonia, and adding hydrogen cyanide to the reactor to convert the hydrogen cyanide to an aminonitrile. Preferably, the reactor is purged with ammonia before the addition of hydrogen cyanide. The hydrogen cyanide may be added to the reactor at a constant rate, or it may be added to the reactor at a rate that decreases over time. A portion of the ketone may be added to the reactor during the addition of the hydrogen cyanide to the reactor.

Abstract: Unreacted hydrogen cyanide in the product from a hydrocyanation reactor is reduced while maintaining maximum yield to dinitriles.

Abstract: The selectivity of isomerization of 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile to linear unconjugated pentenenitriles (e.g., 3-pentenenitrile) is increased by conducting the isomerization reaction in the presence of butadiene. The linear penetenenitrile products are useful as intermediates in the preparation of adiponitrile.