Lactams, Nitriles, and Isocyanates

Lactams, nitriles, and isocyanates are further important examples of N-functional-ized bulk chemicals. Table 5.3.9 gives a selection of specific compounds, their stmc-ture, and applications. 

Acrylonitrile is produced today almost exclusively by ammonoxidation of propylene using the so-called Sohio process. Sohio stands for Standard Oil of Ohio, the first company to demonstrate successfully the process in 1960. The Sohio process reacts propylene, ammonia, and oxygen in a highly exothermic process (AH = —502 kj mol ) at 400-500 °C to acrylonitrile and water. The process uses a fluidized bed reactor to operate the reactor as isothermally as possible. The catalyst is a Fe-modified bismuth-phosphorous molybdate contact. The Sohio process has 

Compound Structure Major applications World production (mio. ta (unless specified, data from Wiley-VCH, 2012) 

Acrylonitrile r C=N Acrylic fibers, acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylamide, adiponitrile 5.9 (production capacity in 2009) 

Adiponitrih is produced by a Ni-catalyzed reaction of butadiene with two mols of HCN. The process has been introduced by DuPont in the 1970ties. 

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Table5.3.9 Industrially relevant lactams, nitriles, and isocyanates.

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