A comparative study of the liquid-phase reduction of acrylamide and methacrylamide with cyclohexene and with molecular hydrogen over sepiolite-supported catalysts

Authors:
  • MAM. A. Aramendia
    M. A. Aramendia
  • VBV. Borau
    V. Borau
  • CJC. Jimenez
    C. Jimenez
  • JMJ. M. Marinas
    J. M. Marinas
  • MSM. E. Sempere
    M. E. Sempere
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Abstract
This paper deals with the optimization of the variables involved in the synthesis of Pd/sepiolite catalysts used in the individual and competitive reduction of acrylamide and methacrylamide with molecular hydrogen and by hydrogen transfer with cyclohexene as donor. From the reaction profiles of the acrylamide/methacrylamide pair were determined the relative reactivities and relative coefficients of adsorption corresponding to the competitive liquid-phase reductions with molecular hydrogen obtained for different catalysts, solvents, and temperatures. A similar study on the competitive hydrogen transfer reduction of both amides was rendered unfeasible by the fact that acrylamide was strongly adsorbed on the same types of sites as cyclohexene. This completely hindered cyclohexene adsorption and, as a result, inhibited the reaction altogether. Keywords: reduction, acrylamide, methacrylamide, Pd/sepiolite, hydrogen transfer