CONVERSION OF DIMETHYL-NITROBENZENE TO DIMETHY L ANILINE, EFFECT OF SOME PROCESS CONDITION

The catalytic transfer hydrogenation of dimethyl-nitrobenzene (DN) to Dimethyl-aniline (DA) was studied in the temperature range 343–403 K o , pressure range of 4–10 bar H2 and ethanol as solvent using Pd/C as catalyst above agitation speed 800 rpm. The substrate feed concentration was varied in the range from 0.124 to 0.745 kmol/m3 while catalyst loading was in the range 4–12% (w/w) of dimethyl-nitrobenzene. Dimethyl-aniline was the only reaction product, generated through the hydrogenation of the Nitro group of dimethyl-nitrobenzene. The effects of hydrogen partial pressure, catalyst loading, dimethyl-nitrobenzene concentration and temperature on the reaction conversion have been reported. Near first-order dependence on dimethyl-nitrobenzene concentration and hydrogen pressure were observed for the initial rate of dimethyl-nitrobenzene hydrogenation over the 5% Pd/C catalyst. Furthermore, an increase in the catalytic activity as the reaction temperature, pressure and weight of catalysts was observed. Conventional Arrhenius behavior was exhibited by catalyst, Pd/C showed activation energies of 614 J/mol