Abstract:
IN PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ADIPIC ACID BY THE OXIDATION OF CYCLOHEXANE IN THE LIQUID PHASE WITH AQUEOUS NITRIC ACID AT TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 70* AND 130*C. WHEREIN A VANADIUM CATALYST IS EMPLOYED AND WHEREIN THE OXIDATION IS CONDUCTED IN THE PRESENCE OF AN ORGANIC NITROCOMPOUND WHICH IS A SOLVENT FOR THE CYCLOHEXANE, SUBSTANIAL INCREASES IN THE YIELD AND PRODUCTION RATE OF ADIPIC ACID AND SUBSTANTIAL DECREASES INTHE FORMATION OF NITRATED BY-PRODUCTS ARE ATTAINED WITHOUT A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN NITRIC ACID CONSUMPTION BY INTRODUCING FROM ABOUT 0.2 TO 5.0 MOLES OF NITRIC OXIDE INTO THE REACTING MIXTURE PER MOLE OF CYCLOHEXANE INTRODUCED.