Process Intensification of the Michael Addition Reaction in a Rotating Packed Bed: Kinetics, Parametric Study, and Substrate Adaptability

The Michael addition reaction of acrylonitrile (ACN) and dimethylamine (DMA) is the main method for the industrial synthesis of 3-(dimethylamino) propionitrile (DMAPN). However, inadequate mixing in the reaction system can easily lead to ACN self-polymerization and low reaction efficiency. In this work, a rotating packed bed (RPB) reactor with excellent mixing performance was first applied to the Michael addition reaction of ACN and DMA. First, the kinetics of the reaction was established, revealing the characteristics of the reaction. Subsequently, the effects of operating conditions on the reaction performance were investigated in the RPB reactor. Under optimized conditions, the complete conversion of ACN was achieved within 15 min in the RPB reactor, compared to 50 min required in the stirred-tank reactor (STR). Moreover, the RPB reactor demonstrated broad applicability to various Michael addition reaction substrates and delivered high yields. This study provides theoretical guidance for the industrial application of an RPB reactor in the Michael addition reaction.