Abstract:
The present invention provides an improved process for preferentially concentrating 2-methylglutaronitrile from mixtures comprising 2-methyl-glutaronitrile and other C6 nitriles having very close relative volatilities, for example, 2-ethylsuccinonitrile and adiponitrile, in a particular integrated, continuous distillative refining process, advantageously utilizing a carefully staged distillation apparatus train and by operating in an optimized window for effective separation.