Acrylonitrile dimerization

Unsaturated nitriles Dicyanobutenes Methyl pyridines Ethyl disulfides (HSSH) Acrylonitrile dimers... 

Dinitrilebut-l-ene (Acrylonitrile dimer) 2-Nitrile-4-phenylbut-l-ene 2-Phenyl-4-nitrilebut-1 -ene... 

In terms of sustainability, the process starting from propene would be preferable, since it avoids the risks connected with the use of HCN in the butadiene route, even if produced on demand. However, the butadiene route to produce adiponitrile (ADN) is more cost-effective, owing to the need to use an electrochemical reaction for acrylonitrile dimerization. The problem of cost, however, is highly dependent on several factors, including sensitivity to natural gas prices (which influences butadiene cost), the market for acrylonitrile, and soon. The acrylonitrile route is used by Solutia, BASF and Asahi Kasei. New plants to make caprolactam, using ADN as intermediate, are under construction in Asia. 

FIGURE 8.11 Pyrograms of (a) polyester, (b) acrylic, and (c) cotton fibers. 1 = benzene, 2 = vinyl benzoate, 3 = benzoic acid, 4 = biphenyl, 5 = acrylonitrile, 6 = dimethyl formamide, 7 = methyl vinyl pyridine, 8 = acrylonitrile dimers, 9 = acrylonitrile trimers, 10 = 2-furalde-hyde, 11 = dihydromethylfuranone, 12 = levoglucopyranose. 

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