Effect of reaction solvent on the hydrogenation of isophthalonitrile for meta-xylylendiamine preparation

Abstract

This study focused on the effects of reaction solvent on the hydrogenation of isophthalonitrile (IPN) to produce m-Xylylenediamine (MXDA) over Ni-based commercial catalyst. The hydrogenation was carried out using various reaction solvents such as 1-methylimidazole, mesitylene, benzyl ether and isopropanol under various reaction conditions. It was observed that 1-methylimiazole outperformed the other reaction solvent, exhibiting a high MXDA yield and producing a low concentration of undesirable products.