Selective Nitrile Hydrogenations with Evonik’s Centoprime^® Technology

Evonik’s recently developed Centoprime^® technology allows for the selective hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines under very mild economic conditions. This advanced catalyst technology has already been established for the synthesis of vitamin B2 (please see below) and the preparation of other commercially important primary amines via nitrile hydrogenation. Centoprime^® is also ideal for the production of surfactants and emulsifiers via the chemo-selective hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty nitriles to their corresponding primary unsaturated fatty amines. This scientific development allows one to design the size and steric environment of the catalytic site so that the desired reaction is more effective leading to higher product yields and improved process economics2. This nanotechnology has also shown promising results for reactions other than nitrile hydrogenation that are commonly used for the preparation of chemicals used in the life science, fine chemical, industrial chemical, chemical intermediates and polymer segments.

Example: The stepwise hydrogenation of pynitrile to the desired Grewe diamine during vitamin B1 synthesis

The Activated Nickel Catalysts Based on Centoprime® Technology:

• MC 700
• MC 770
• and variations thereof

Since each hydrogenation has a different steric ensemble requirement (the number of contiguous Ni atoms in a sterically bound active site2), it is advisable that the customer tests at least 4 different catalysts with different ensemble sizes to determine the optimal level of modification for their application. Please see your local Evonik representative for further details.