The catalytic hydrogenation of adioponitrile to hexamethylenediamine over a rhodium/alumina catalist in a three phase slurry reactor

Adiponitrile was hydrogenated to hexamethylenediamine in a three phase stirred slurry reactor at 353 K and 3 MPa using rhodium on -alumina powder as a catalyst. Rhodium, with a very high metal dispersion, was deposited on the alumina support using the metal vapour synthesis technique. The performances of this supported catalyst were compared to those of one currently used in industrial processes (Raney Ni). The Rh/Al2O3 catalyst showed interesting hexamethylenediamine selectivity and adiponitrile conversion.