Highly efficient Michael additions of acrylonitrile with alcohols over K2CO3/zeolite catalysts in a solvent-free system

The supported base/zeolite catalysts are prepared and applied in the catalytic Michael additions of acrylonitrile with monohydric alcohols to 3-alkoxypropanenitriles in a solvent-free system. The catalysts are characterised by powder X-ray diffraction. For the Michael addition of methanol to acrylonitrile, 10% K2CO3/ZSM-5 shows the best activity with 98.3 mol% conversion of acrylonitrile and 100% selectivity of 3-methoxypropanenitrile. The recyclable stability of the 10% K2CO3/ZSM-5 catalyst is confirmed. The effects of various parameters are investigated systematically. By comparing the catalytic activity of anion-exchanged CO3 2−-resin for the titled addition, a feasible reaction route is proposed.