Synthesis of p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) using supercritical ammonia

Abstract

In this study, investigated the synthesis method of p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) by amination of p-Diiodo-benzene (PDIB) under supercritical ammonia and CuI catalyst conditions. We examined the effects of various process variables (e.g., reaction temperature, pressure, amount of ammonia inserted, amount of catalyst inserted, and reaction time) on the production yield of PPD by analyzing the Gas Chromatography (GC). The experimental results demonstrated that PPD was not produced under non-catalyst conditions, and PPD production yield increased with increasing temperature, pressure, amount of catalyst inserted, and reaction time. However, for the reaction temperature case, it was found that 200°C was the optimal temperature, because thermal degradation of PPD occurred above 250°C. In addition, we confirmed the structure of PPD and the bonding characteristics of the amine group via FT-IR and H-NMR analysis.