Hydrogenation of Succinimide to 2-Pyrrolidone Over Solid Catalysts

Abstract

2-Pyrrolidone (P-Done) is an important chemical which is widely used both as a solvent and as an intermediate in industrial syntheses. The preparation of P-Done by the catalytic hydrogenation of succinimide has attracted little attention. Previous attempts to carry out this reaction resulted in low reaction rates and poor selectivity towards the desired product. Here, we present the results of the selective catalytic hydrogenation of succinimide to P-Done in the presence of skeletal nickel catalysts in aqueous and non-aqueous solvents.