A process for preparing methyl methacrylate (MMA) and/or methacrylic acid (MAS) having improved yield, involves amidation, conversion, and hydrolysis/esterification. Especially high yields are obtained during the amidation and in the subsequent so-called conversion.

A process for preparing methyl methacrylate (MMA) and/or methacrylic acid (MAS) having improved yield, involves amidation, conversion, and hydrolysis/esterification. Especially high yields are obtained during the amidation and in the subsequent so-called conversion.

An improved process for synthesizing alkyl methacrylates, in particular methyl methacrylate (MMA), involves reacting acetone cyanohydrin (ACH) and sulfuric acid in a first reaction stage (amidation). The process then involves heating the first reaction mixture in a second reaction stage (conversion) such that methacrylamide (MAA) is obtained; and then esterifying methacrylamide (MAA) with alcohol and water, preferably methanol and water, in a third reaction stage such that alkyl methacrylate is formed. The sulfuric acid used has a concentration of 98.0 wt % to 100.0 wt %. A subsequent working up of the third reaction mixture involves least two distillations in which the byproducts methacrylonitrile (MeAN) and acetone are obtained as an aqueous heteroazeotrope at least in part in the top fraction. At least some of the aqueous heteroazeotrope is removed from the process and at least partially reintroduced into the third reaction stage.

An improved process for synthesizing alkyl methacrylates, in particular methyl methacrylate (MMA), involves reacting acetone cyanohydrin (ACH) and sulfuric acid in a first reaction stage (amidation). The process then involves heating the first reaction mixture in a second reaction stage (conversion) such that methacrylamide (MAA) is obtained; and then esterifying methacrylamide (MAA) with alcohol and water, preferably methanol and water, in a third reaction stage such that alkyl methacrylate is formed. The sulfuric acid used has a concentration of 98.0 wt % to 100.0 wt %. A subsequent working up of the third reaction mixture involves least two distillations in which the byproducts methacrylonitrile (MeAN) and acetone are obtained as an aqueous heteroazeotrope at least in part in the top fraction. At least some of the aqueous heteroazeotrope is removed from the process and at least partially reintroduced into the third reaction stage.

A method for converting an N,N-dialkylamide compound into an ester compound includes using a fourth period transition metal complex as a catalyst. The fourth period transition metal complex is obtained by a reaction of a precursor having a fourth period transition metal with a nitrogen-containing compound or a phosphorus-containing compound.

A method for converting an N,N-dialkylamide compound into an ester compound includes using a fourth period transition metal complex as a catalyst. The fourth period transition metal complex is obtained by a reaction of a precursor having a fourth period transition metal with a nitrogen-containing compound or a phosphorus-containing compound.

Present invention relates to a process and an installation (100) for the preparation of hydrogen cyanide by the Andrussow process, and more precisely for improving the conditions of mixing the reactant gases before feeding the Andrussow type reactor (60), in order to improve safety, to avoid any risk of explosion and to produce HCN in safe and efficient manner. The installation is configured in such a manner that oxygen is pre-mixed with air with a ratio comprised between 20.95% and 32.5% by volume, preferably between 25% and 30.5% by volume; methane containing gas and ammonia are simultaneously added in the pre-mixture of oxygen-enriched air in such a manner that the volumic ratio of methane to ammonia is comprised between 1.35 and 1.02 depending on the content of oxygen into air; said obtained reactant gases mixture having a temperature comprised between 80 C. and 120 C., preferably between 95 C. and 115 C. for feeding the Andrussow type reactor (60).

Present invention relates to a process and an installation (100) for the preparation of hydrogen cyanide by the Andrussow process, and more precisely for improving the conditions of mixing the reactant gases before feeding the Andrussow type reactor (60), in order to improve safety, to avoid any risk of explosion and to produce HCN in safe and efficient manner. The installation is configured in such a manner that oxygen is pre-mixed with air with a ratio comprised between 20.95% and 32.5% by volume, preferably between 25% and 30.5% by volume; methane containing gas and ammonia are simultaneously added in the pre-mixture of oxygen-enriched air in such a manner that the volumic ratio of methane to ammonia is comprised between 1.35 and 1.02 depending on the content of oxygen into air; said obtained reactant gases mixture having a temperature comprised between 80 C. and 120 C., preferably between 95 C. and 115 C. for feeding the Andrussow type reactor (60).

An improved process for synthesizing methacrylic acid and/or alkyl methacrylates, in particular methyl methacrylate (MMA), involves reacting acetone and hydrogen cyanide in the presence of an alkaline catalyst in a first reaction stage such that a first reaction mixture containing acetone cyanohydrin (ACH) is obtained. The process then involves working up the first reaction mixture containing acetone cyanohydrin (ACH), reacting acetone cyanohydrin (ACH) and sulfuric acid in a second reaction stage (amidation), and heating the second reaction mixture in a third reaction stage (conversion), such that methacrylamide (MAA) is obtained. The process further involves hydrolyzing or esterifying methacrylamide (MAA) with water and, optionally, alcohol, preferably water and optionally methanol, in a fourth reaction stage such that methacrylic acid or alkyl methacrylate is formed. The sulfuric acid used has a concentration of 98.0 wt % to 100.0 wt %.

An improved process for synthesizing methacrylic acid and/or alkyl methacrylates, in particular methyl methacrylate (MMA), involves reacting acetone and hydrogen cyanide in the presence of an alkaline catalyst in a first reaction stage such that a first reaction mixture containing acetone cyanohydrin (ACH) is obtained. The process then involves working up the first reaction mixture containing acetone cyanohydrin (ACH), reacting acetone cyanohydrin (ACH) and sulfuric acid in a second reaction stage (amidation), and heating the second reaction mixture in a third reaction stage (conversion), such that methacrylamide (MAA) is obtained. The process further involves hydrolyzing or esterifying methacrylamide (MAA) with water and, optionally, alcohol, preferably water and optionally methanol, in a fourth reaction stage such that methacrylic acid or alkyl methacrylate is formed. The sulfuric acid used has a concentration of 98.0 wt % to 100.0 wt %.