A method of preventing polymer tar build-up in ACH production of MAA and/or MMA is described. The method is characterised in that one or more surfactants are contacted with the hydrolysis and optional esterification stage reaction medium, the said surfactants are selected from: a) C.sub.10 to C.sub.30 alcohol ethoxylates with an average of 5 to 100 ethylene oxide units per molecule; b) alkyl, hydrogen, O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.xH and/or O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.x H N-substituted alkylene di- or triamines with an average of 1 to 30 total ethylene oxide and propylene oxide repeating units per molecule and wherein x and x are from 1 to 30; and c) C.sub.10 to C.sub.30 alcohol ethoxylate, propoxylates with an average of 5 to 100 total propylene oxide and ethylene oxide units per molecule, which units may be in a random, block or alternating sequence or may be a combination thereof. The method is particularly useful for preventing build-up of oligomer and polymer tar-like deposits in reaction vessels, process equipment, pipework or other parts of the acetone cyanohydrin MMA and MAA production process.

Process for the industrial synthesis of the compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##

Process for the industrial synthesis of the compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##

A new composition of matter has the molecular structure [I]: Formula (I) wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic C.sub.1-C.sub.10 group, an unsaturated C.sub.1-C.sub.10 chain, C.sub.4-C.sub.9 group with a cyclic portion and C.sub.4-C.sub.10 group with an aromatic portion, and combinations thereof; R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an aliphatic C.sub.1-C.sub.10 group, an unsaturated C.sub.2-C.sub.10 chain, a C.sub.4-C.sub.10 group with a cyclic portion, C.sub.4-C.sub.10 group with an aromatic portion, and combinations thereof; and R.sub.4 is a terminal functional group selected from the group consisting of amide [CONH.sub.2], acid [COOH], amine [CH.sub.2NH.sub.2], guanamine [(C.sub.3N.sub.3)(NH.sub.2).sub.2], organic heterocyclic [CHN.sub.4], and combinations thereof; and wherein said composition of matter of the molecular structure [I] excludes 2-[(3-amino-1-ethylpropyl)amino]ethanol.

##STR00001##

A new composition of matter has the molecular structure [I]: Formula (I) wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic C.sub.1-C.sub.10 group, an unsaturated C.sub.1-C.sub.10 chain, C.sub.4-C.sub.9 group with a cyclic portion and C.sub.4-C.sub.10 group with an aromatic portion, and combinations thereof; R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an aliphatic C.sub.1-C.sub.10 group, an unsaturated C.sub.2-C.sub.10 chain, a C.sub.4-C.sub.10 group with a cyclic portion, C.sub.4-C.sub.10 group with an aromatic portion, and combinations thereof; and R.sub.4 is a terminal functional group selected from the group consisting of amide [CONH.sub.2], acid [COOH], amine [CH.sub.2NH.sub.2], guanamine [(C.sub.3N.sub.3)(NH.sub.2).sub.2], organic heterocyclic [CHN.sub.4], and combinations thereof; and wherein said composition of matter of the molecular structure [I] excludes 2-[(3-amino-1-ethylpropyl)amino]ethanol.

##STR00001##

The present invention discloses a metal-catalyzed process for hydration of nitrile under the influence of the ultrasonic cavitation effect. The present invention further discloses a catalyst of formula (I), wherein the catalyst is used for process for hydration of nitrile and process for preparation thereof.
A.sub.XB.sub.YC.sub.Z Formula (I)

A process for preparing valpromide of formula I and sodium valproate of formula II which comprises: cyanoacetate and 1-chloropropane are subjected to composite catalytic dipropylation in the presence of alkali to obtain 2-cyano-2-valproate of formula III; 2-cyano-2-valproate is hydrolyzed and deacidified to give propylvaleronitrile of formula V; propylvaleronitrile is alcoholized in the presence of acid to give valpromide of formula I and valproate ester of formula VI; and valproate ester is hydrolyzed in a sodium hydroxide solution to afford sodium valproate of formula II.

A process for preparing valpromide of formula I and sodium valproate of formula II which comprises: cyanoacetate and 1-chloropropane are subjected to composite catalytic dipropylation in the presence of alkali to obtain 2-cyano-2-valproate of formula III; 2-cyano-2-valproate is hydrolyzed and deacidified to give propylvaleronitrile of formula V; propylvaleronitrile is alcoholized in the presence of acid to give valpromide of formula I and valproate ester of formula VI; and valproate ester is hydrolyzed in a sodium hydroxide solution to afford sodium valproate of formula II.

A process for preparing valpromide of formula I and sodium valproate of formula II which comprises: cyanoacetate and 1-chloropropane are subjected to composite catalytic dipropylation in the presence of alkali to obtain 2-cyano-2-valproate of formula III; 2-cyano-2-valproate is hydrolyzed and deacidified to give propylvaleronitrile of formula V; propylvaleronitrile is alcoholized in the presence of acid to give valpromide of formula I and valproate ester of formula VI; and valproate ester is hydrolyzed in a sodium hydroxide solution to afford sodium valproate of formula II.

A method for producing an amide compound from a nitrile compound using a biocatalyst by producing an amide compound aqueous solution having low foamability.