Cyanoethylation of methanol catalyzed by alkaline earth oxides and alumina-supported K catalysts Original Research Article

Cyanoethylation of methanol with acrylonitrile to form 3-methoxypropanenitrile proceeds effectively over solid basic catalysts such as alkaline earth oxides and hydroxides, and alumina supported potassium fluoride and hydroxide at a reaction temperature of 323 K. The catalytic activity of magnesium oxide was scarcely affected by exposure of the catalyst to air before use for the reaction.