Nickel(0) Catalytic System for Adiponitrile Selectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrocyanation processes for producing adiponitrile face challenges in achieving high selectivity for linear dinitriles and efficient recycling of catalytic systems, particularly due to difficulties in extracting cocatalysts and nickel complexes from the reaction medium.
Innovation Solution
A catalytic system comprising a nickel(0) complex with organophosphorus ligands and a novel organometallic cocatalyst of the form R1-R2-R3-M1-M2, where R1, R2, R3 are organic radicals and M1, M2 are elements like zinc, boron, or aluminum, is used for hydrocyanation, allowing for improved selectivity and ease of catalyst recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional cocatalysts like zinc chloride or organic boron compounds are used, then linear dinitrile selectivity can be achieved at acceptable levels, but extraction and recycling of the catalytic system becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the cocatalyst by using organometallic compounds with specific formulas (I and II) containing elements like Al, Zn, Ga, In, B, or Si bonded to oxygen and organic groups. This parameter change maintains the Lewis acid functionality needed for high linear dinitrile selectivity while modifying the molecular structure to reduce strong interactions with the nickel complex, thereby facilitating easier extraction and recycling of the catalytic system.
2Manufacturing precision
If cocatalysts with strong Lewis acid properties are used to favor linear dinitrile formation, then by-product production is limited, but the cocatalyst becomes harder to extract from the reaction medium
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite cocatalyst structure combining a metal element (Al, Zn, Ga, In, B, or Si) with organic groups and oxygen in a specific molecular architecture (formulas I and II). This composite structure provides the necessary Lewis acid strength for high linear dinitrile selectivity while the organic components modulate the overall polarity and interaction strength, enabling easier extraction from the reaction medium compared to traditional inorganic cocatalysts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed catalytic system enhances the selectivity for linear dinitriles and facilitates easier extraction and recycling of the nickel complex, improving the efficiency and yield of adiponitrile production in the hydrocyanation process.
Implementation Method 1
a catalytic system comprising a nickel complex in the zero oxidation state with at least one organophosphorus ligand
Implementation Method 2
a cocatalyst belonging to the Lewis acid family. The role of this cocatalyst or promoter is to limit the production of by-products and therefore to favor the formation of linear dinitrile compounds
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for producing compounds comprising at least one nitrile function by hydrocyanation of a compound comprising at least one non-conjugated unsaturation. The invention proposes a process for producing compounds comprising at least one nitrile function by hydrocyanation of an organic compound comprising at least one non-conjugated unsaturation, comprising from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, by reaction with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalytic system comprising a complex of nickel having the oxidation state of zero with at least one organophosphorus ligand chosen from the group comprising organophosphites, organophosphonites, organophosphinites and organophosphines and a cocatalyst of the Lewis acid type of formula in which M1 and M2 represent elements chosen from the group comprising zinc, boron, aluminium, cadmium, gallium, indium and tin.