Direct Synthesis of Propionamide and Propiononitrile from Ethylene, Carbon TMonoxide, and Ammonia Using Supported Ru and Rh Catalysts

Propionamide and propiononitrile were formed by passing the mixture of ethylene, carbon monoxide, and ammonia under atmospheric pressure over silica- or zeolite-supported Ru ammine complex catalyst, Rh ammine complex also promoted the reaction but the catalytic activity was low. It is inferred that propionamide is formed primarily and is dehydrated successively on the acidic site of the support.