Mid-infrared in situ spectroscopy is a valuable research and manufacturing tool that has been employed at Eastman Chemical Company for many years. As an example of the use of this technology, piloting and production of cyclopropylcarbonitrile in a short-term manufacturing campaign will be presented. Cyclopropylcarbonitrile had previously been produced by batch reaction of hydroxyl amine with cyclopropylcarboxyaldehyde; both hydroxyl amine and an expected oxime intermediate are known to decompose with high energy release. In developing a continuous process, it was imperative that the reactor concentrations of hydroxylamine and the oxime intermediate be maintained at appropriately low levels. The use of mid-infrared in situ spectroscopy enabled safe operation during the piloting and subsequent production of cyclopropylcarbonitrile.

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