Process for the dehydrocyanation of aliphatic dinitriles

Abstract of EP0571298The present invention relates to a process for the dehydrocyanation of aliphatic dinitriles in the vapour phase. More precisely, it consists of a process for the dehydrocyanation of branched, saturated dinitriles, characterised in that vapours of one or more of the said branched, saturated dinitriles are brought into contact with a partially or completely acidified cation exchanger. The branched, saturated dinitriles which are subjected to the dehydrocyanation according to the present process are more particularly 2-methylglutaronitrile, 2-ethylsuccinonitrile, their mixtures with each other or industrial mixtures containing them.