Kinetics and process parameter studies in the synthesis of <i>2</i>-amino-<i>1</i>-butanol from methyl<i>-DL-α</i>-aminobutyrate

Abstract

Methyl-<i>DL-α</i>-aminobutyrate was hydrogenated in methanol at 105 atm hydrogen partial pressure and 170°C temperature over copper chromite catalyst in a high pressure autoclave to obtain <i>2</i>-amino-<i>1</i>-butanol. Under best suitable reaction conditions, 100% selectivity was obtained at an ester conversion of 39%. Different important process parameters like temperature, catalyst loading, catalyst reusability, initial concentration, speed of agitation, and hydrogen partial pressure were studied. The reaction was found to be a first order reaction on the starting ester under the reaction conditions.