Patent ID: 6169198
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for preparing mixtures of monoolefinic C.sub.5 mononitriles with nonconjugated C.dbd.C and C.tbd.N bonds by catalytic hydrocyanation of 1,3-butadiene or a 1,3-butadiene-containing hydrocarbon mixture, wherein the hydrocyanation takes place in the presence of a catalyst which comprises at least one metallocene-phosphorus(III)-nickel(0) complex which comprises at least one monodentate or bidentate metallocene-phosphorus(III) ligand of the formula I ##STR3## where R.sup.1 is a radical of the formula PL.sub.2 where the L radicals can be identical or different and are alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl, R.sup.1 ' is hydrogen, alkyl or a radical of the formula PL.sub.2 where the L radicals have the abovementioned meaning, R.sup.2, R.sup.2 ', R.sup.3, R.sup.3 ', R.sup.4, R.sup.4 ', R.sup.5, R.sup.5 ' are, independently of one another, selected from hydrogen, cycloalkyl, aryl or alkyl, which can be interrupted by an oxygen atom or substituted by a radical of the formula NE.sup.1 E.sup.2 where E.sup.1 and E.sup.2 can be identical or different and are alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl, or in each case two of the substituents R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and/or R.sup.2 ', R.sup.3 ', R.sup.4 ', R.sup.5 ' in adjacent positions can, together with the part of the cyclopentadienyl ring connecting them, be an aromatic or nonaromatic 5- to 7-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic system which may have 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, M is Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Os, Rh, Mn, Cr or V, or salts and mixtures thereof.