The Production Process of 3-(Chloromethyl)benzonitrile

3-(Chloromethyl)benzonitrile, commonly abbreviated as CBN, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C7H9ClN.
It is a white or slightly yellowish solid with a distinctive, unpleasant odor.
CBN is commonly used as a intermediate in the production of various chemicals, such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals.
The production process of CBN involves several steps, which are outlined below.

Step 1: Chlorination of Benzene
The production of CBN begins with the chlorination of benzene, which is a colorless liquid with the chemical formula C6H6.
Benzene is a naturally occurring aromatic hydrocarbon that is found in crude oil and other organic materials.
The chlorination of benzene is carried out by adding chlorine gas to a suspension of benzene in water.
The reaction is exothermic, and care must be taken to avoid ignition of the mixture.

Step 2: Nitration of Chlorobenzene
The next step in the production of CBN is the nitration of chlorobenzene, which involves the addition of nitric acid to chlorobenzene.
The reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst, such as nickel oxide or iron oxide, to increase the reaction rate.
The reaction produces a mixture of nitrochlorobenzene isomers, which are separated by crystallization or distillation.

Step 3: Nitroation of Nitrochlorobenzene
The nitrochlorobenzene isomers produced in the previous step are further nitrated to produce 3-(chloromethyl)benzenamine, which is also known as monochloronitrobenzene.
This step is carried out by adding nitric acid to the nitrochlorobenzene isomers in the presence of a solvent, such as pyridine or acetonitrile.
The reaction is exothermic, and the mixture must be cooled to prevent excessive heating.

Step 4: Deamination of Monochloronitrobenzene
The next step in the production of CBN is the deamination of monochloronitrobenzene, which involves the removal of ammonia from the monochloronitrobenzene molecule.
This is accomplished by treating the monochloronitrobenzene with a base, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, in the presence of water.
The reaction produces 3-(chloromethyl)benzene, which is a colorless liquid with a distinctive, unpleasant odor.

Step 5: Hydrolysis of 3-(Chloromethyl)benzene
The final step in the production of CBN is the hydrolysis of 3-(chloromethyl)benzene, which involves the cleavage of the benzene ring to produce CBN.
This is accomplished by treating the 3-(chloromethyl)benzene with water in the presence of a catalyst, such as sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid.
The reaction is exothermic, and the mixture must be cooled to prevent excessive heating.

Overall, the production process of CBN involves several steps, which require careful attention to avoid unwanted side reactions and to optimize the reaction conditions.
The final product, CBN, is a useful intermediate in the production of various chemicals, and its unique properties make it useful for a wide range of applications.
However, CBN is also a toxic compound, and proper safety measures must be taken during its production and handling.