In-situ Monitoring of Acrylonitrile Addition

In-situ Monitoring of Acrylonitrile Addition

Online Mid-IR to Improve Process and Product Quality

Base-catalyzed acrylonitrile addition to low molecular weight alcohols is an inherently delicate reaction that requires careful monitoring of conditions, catalyst activity and yield. In particular, if the temperature is not well-controlled, the reaction can exotherm. Traditional synthetic methods used to run these reactions give little information on reaction progress, efficiency or safety. 

This presentation will explore the use of in-situ FTIR spectroscopy and reaction calorimetry to safely conduct and monitor the base-catalyzed acrylonitrile addition to a diol:

  • Dangerous pooling of acrylonitrile was avoided by observing the slow initial reaction rate — including a previously unseen enothermic effect of acrylonitrile addition and a build-up of acryolonitrite at the front-end of the reaction
  • Potential runaway reaction was avoided as the dosing system stopped when maximum heat production was reached
  • Reaction ran efficiently and safely as the system was able to add more acrylonitrile when reaction slowed

Matt Meredith - Huntsman Corporation