POLYMER-PROTECTED COPPER COLLOIDS AS CATALYSTS FOR SELECTIVE HYDRATION OF ACRYLONITRILE

Abstract
Stable colloidal dispersion of copper in water is prepared by the reduction of copper sulfate with sodium tetrahydroborate in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly(vinyl alcohol), dextrin, or poly(methyl vinyl ether). The poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-protected copper colloids are effective for the selective catalysis in hydration of acrylonitrile to acrylamide at 80°C in water.