The principal use of adiponitrile is as an intermediate for the manufacture of hexamethylene diamine (1,6-diaminohexane) which is a co-monomer for the manufacture of Nylon 6,6.

 

There are several different manufacturing processes for adiponitrile including direct addition of HCN to butadiene, electrodimerization of acrylonitrile, and amidation and dehydration of adipic acid. Impurities that are produced by these processes can be converted to cyanoketones or cyanoimines by contacting the adiponitrile product with a strong acid catalyst such as Amberlyst™ 15.

 

These compounds are then removed by contact with a strong base anion exchange resin in the hydroxide form. Finally, residual ammonia or amine can be removed by contacting with a polishing bed of strong acid cation exchange resin.

 

 

Process Conditions

 

Typical operating conditions for the purification process are shown in the following table:

 

 

Layout	Strong acid cation (H) - Strong base anion (OH) - Strong acid cation (H)
Products	Strong acid cation: Amberlyst™ 15 Strong base anion : Amberlite™ IRA910 Cl (convert to OH form for use)
Regenerant mode	Co-flow
Warnings	The physical stability of the resins is the key issue. Lifetime is very short (the anion resin life time is about 50 - 100 cycles, which is a few months).

 

 

For pricing, availability or more information please contact your Rohm and Haas representative.

 

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