Beckmann rearrangement reaction of cyclohexanone oxime in sub/supercritical water: byproduct and selectivity

As an important green synthesis technology of caprolactam, the Beckmann rearrangement reaction of cyclohexanone oxime using high temperature and pressure water as the reaction media was carefully studied with a microreactor. An important byproduct – acetamide was confirmed with a selectivity higher than 40% in the subcritical water, which was more serious than the reported cyclohexanone. The effects of phase state and operating conditions, such as reaction temperature, pressure, flow rate ratio and reactant residence time, on the cyclohexanone oxime conversion and caprolactam selectivity were carefully analyzed, and the results showed that keeping the reaction close to the supercritical state was critical for the preparation of caprolactam.