Patent ID: 7323598
Filing Date: 2008-01-29
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for preparing meta- or para-xylylenediamine, comprising the steps of ammoxidizing meta- or para-xylene to iso- or terephthalonitrile, by contacting the vaporous product of this ammoxidation stage directly with a liquid organic solvent (quench), removing products having a boiling point higher than phthalonitrile (high boilers) from the resulting quench solution or suspension and hydrogenating the phthalonitnle, wherein the organic solvent used for the quench is N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), after the removal of the high boilers and before the hydrogenation, there is a partial or complete removal of the NMP and/or of products having a boiling point lower than phthalonitrile (low boilers) and the phthalonitrile for the hydrogenation step is dissolved or suspended in an organic solvent or in liquid ammonia.