Effect of Reaction Solvent on the Hydrogenation of Isophthalonitrile for Meta‐Xylylendiamine Preparation

Abstract This study focused on the effects of reaction solvent on the hydrogenation of isophthalonitrile (IPN) to produce m‐Xylylenediamine (MXDA) over Ni‐based commercial catalyst. The hydrogenation was carried out using various reaction solvents such as 1‐methylimidazole, mesitylene, benzyl ether and isopropanol under various reaction conditions. It was observed that 1‐methylimiazole outperformed the other reaction solvent, exhibiting a high MXDA yield and producing a low concentration of undesirable products.