Test procedure for evaluation of catalysts for nitrile reduction

Abstract

AbstractA procedure was developed that examines the effectiveness of nickel catalysts for the hydrogenation of fatty nitriles to amines. Rates of reaction, selectivity, and olefinic reduction were the parameters studied. The procedure can be used for new catalyst screening and is ideally suited for quality assurance testing of production catalysts. It involves the reduction of nitriles to amines at 410°F (210°C) and 500 psig using a .2% Ni loading level. A mixture of primary and secondary amines is obtained which is characteristic of the catalyst’s selectivity. Both sponge and supported nickel catalysts were tested using tallow nitriles as the feedstock.