Kinetic modelling of reactions for the synthesis of 2-methyl-5-ethyl pyridine

Abstract

The kinetics of the acid catalyzed reactions of acetaldehyde ammonia trimer (AAT) and paraldehyde (para) to 2-methyl-5-ethyl pyridine (MEP) in the presence of an acid catalyst were investigated systematically. A reaction model has been developed based on experimental data. With full characterisation of side products it is possible to describe the reaction as a polymerisation and to understand the different reactivity of AAT and para, respectively. A kinetic model to describe the formation of MEP and the side products was developed using operando Raman spectroscopy. The model, involving four main reactions, is able to describe the formation of MEP and side products and incorporates the effects of reactant concentration, temperature and promoter concentration. This model is an important step that allows for further process intensification and evaluation of each of the two reaction routes.