Hydrolysis of adiponitrile in near-critical water

Hydrolysis of adiponitrile (ADN) in near-critical water was successfully conducted in a batch reactor. Influences of m(AND)/m(water) ratio, temperature, time, m(AND)/m(additive) ratio, kind of additive and pressure on the yield of each product were investigated. Five compounds resulting from the hydrolysis of ADN, including 5-cyanovaleramide, adipamide, adipamic acid, adipic acid and trace of 5-cyanovaleric acid, were detected by high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that change of ADN concentration and temperature had significant influences on the yields of adipamide, adipamic acid and adipic acid; time was the significant factor for the yield of 5-cyanovaleric acid; and the yield of 5-cyanovaleramide was more dependent on the ADN concentration.