Patent ID: 7973192
Filing Date: 2011-07-05
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for the preparation of both hexamethylenediamine and aminocapronitrile by hemihydrogenation of adiponitrile, the process comprising: (a) forming a hydrogenate by the hemihydrogenation of adiponitrile in the presence of a strong base; (b) adding to the hydrogenate an amount of acid and/or of alkali metal or ammonium acid salt, wherein the amount of acid and/or of alkali metal or ammonium acid salt added to the hydrogenate is determined to provide a ratio T, determined by the following formula (I):  in which: (c) distilling the hydrogenate, which comprises an acid and/or an alkali metal or ammonium acid salt, and recovering a top fraction A, which comprises hexamethylenediamine, and a bottom fraction B, comprising aminocapronitrile, adiponitrile and high boiling point compounds.