Cyanide salts, impact

The U.S. Department of the Interior is conducting research under the U.S. Geological Survey to determine the impacts of highway de-icing chemicals on the groundwater quality of shallow, unconsolidated aquifers in Ohio, and to determine the salt concentration present in the soil and unsaturated zones. This research will include some analyses for dissolved cyanide in monthly samples from eight sites across Ohio. 

The new Monsanto process makes use of a copper catalyst, which is used to reduce diethanolamine to DSIDA, the intermediate to Roundup (see Fig. 9.27). This process totally eliminates the use of ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and formaldehyde, is free of contaminants and byproducts, and hence does not require further purification steps. The stream can be recycled after filtration of catalyst. Monsanto s process can also be used in the production of other amino acids such as glycine through reduction and is a general method for conversion of primary alcohols to carboxylic acid salts. The development of this technology for processes pertaining to the agricultural, commodity, specialty, and pharmaceutical sectors would have a pronounced impact on the environment. 

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