abstract |
A hydrocyanation reaction is used to react 1,3-butadiene with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalyst to produce pentenenitrles, as well as reaction byproducts, such as methylglutaronitrile (MGN). The effluent from the hydrocyanation reaction is distilled in a particular manner to produce a pentenenitrile-enriched stream, a catalyst- enriched stream and a stream enriched in methylglutaronitrile (MGN). At least a portion of the catalyst enriched stream may be recycled to the hydrocyanation reaction, 3- pentenenitrile may be recovered and, optionally, further reacted with HCN to make adiponitrile (ADN). |