Abstract:
The present invention provides methods for making N-methylpyrrolidine and analogous compounds via hydrogenation. Novel catalysts for this process, and novel conditions/yields are also described. Other process improvements may include extraction and hydrolysis steps. Some preferred reactions take place in the aqueous phase. Starting materials for making N-methylpyrrolidine may include succinic acid, N-methylsuccinimide, and their analogs.
Abstract:
Process for the preparation of a mixture of epsilon -caprolactam and epsilon -caprolactam precursors by reductively aminating 5-formylvaleric acid and/or 5-formylvalerate ester(s) in water with hydrogen and an excess of ammonia in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the process is conducted in a reactor of which the inside reactor wall material is a material containing at most 8 wt.% nickel.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for the production of caprolactam from a compound of formula (I): NC-(CH2)5-CO-R where R = a carboxamido, carboxlic acid or carboxylate ester group, characterised in that a) a compound (I), or mixtures thereof are hydrogenated with hydrogen in the presence of ammonia, a catalyst (II) and optionally a fluid solvent (VI) to give a mixture (III), b) separation of catalyst (II) and hydrogen from the mixture (III) to give a mixture (IV) and c) reaction of mixture (IV), in the presence of a catalyst (V) and optionally a fluid solvent (VII), to give caprolactam.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing caprolactam, which is characterized by a) reacting, in the presence of a catalyst, a mixture (I) that contains 6-aminocapronitrile and water in the gaseous phase to give a mixture (II) that contains caprolactam, ammonia, water, high-boiling and low-boiling substances, subsequently b) removing the ammonia from mixture (II), thereby producing a mixture (III) that contains caprolactam, water, high-boiling and low-boiling substances, c) removing the water from mixture (III), thereby producing a mixture (IV) that contains caprolactam, high-boiling and low-boiling substances, and finally d) obtaining by crystallization a caprolactam-containing solid substance (V) from mixture (IV), the weight percentage of caprolactam in the solid substance (V) being higher than in mixture (IV).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to processes for the production of alpha -aryl- beta -ketonitriles, which serve as synthetic intermediates in the preparation of a series of biologically important molecules such as corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor antagonists.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for the purification of crude epsilon -caprolactam, wherein crude epsilon -caprolactam prepared by cyclization of alkyl 6-aminocaproate, 6-aminocapronitrile, 6-aminocaproic acid, 6 aminocaproic amide and/or oligomers thereof, is subjected to a crystallization process.
Abstract:
Process to prepare epsilon -caprolactam by treating 6-aminocaproic acid, 6-aminocaproate ester or 6-aminocaproamide or mixtures comprising at least two of these compounds in the presence of superheated steam in which a gaseous mixture comprising epsilon -caprolactam and steam is obtained, wherein the process is carried out in the absence of a catalysts at a temperature between 250 and 400 DEG C and at a pressure of between 0.5 and 2 MPa. The invention also encompasses a process to prepare epsilon -caprolactam starting from 6-aminocapronitrile by performing a hydrolysis and a subsequent step as described above.
Abstract:
Process to separate epsilon -caprolactam from 6-aminocaproamide and 6-aminocaproamide oligomers, wherein epsilon -caprolactam, 6-aminocaproamide and 6-aminocaproamide oligomers are present in a first aqueous starting mixture, which mixture is contacted with an alcohol extraction solvent, resulting in a first aqueous raffinate phase which is poor in epsilon -caprolactam and an alcohol phase which is rich in epsilon -caprolactam and which alcohol phase contains 6-aminocaproamide and/or 6-aminocaproamide oligomers, wherein the latter alcohol phase is subsequently contacted with water (backwash water) resulting in an alcohol extract phase poor in 6-aminocaproamide and/or 6-aminocaproamide oligomers and a second aqueous raffinate phase rich in 6-aminocaproamide and/or 6-aminocaproamide oligomers.
Abstract:
Method for preparing caprolactam by heating 6-aminocapric acid nitrile in the presence of heterogeneous catalysts ans water under elevated pressure, wherein (a) 6-aminocapric acid nitrile or a mixture containing essentially 6-aminocapric acid nitrile as well as water and a low-boiling or a high-boiling alcohol is heated in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst in a reactor A to produce a mixture (I); then (b) mixture (I) is distilled, yielding a head fraction, caprolactam and a bottom product, with any ammonia in mixture (I) being removed prior to distillation; and then (c1) the head fraction is fed into the reactor of step (a), with the head fraction optionally being mixed with the alcohol and/or water and/or 6-aminocapric nitrile used in step (a) before being fed into reactor (A); or (c2) the head fraction, optionally with the bottom product from step (b), is fed into a reactor (B), the first fraction optionally being mixed with the alcohol and/or water and/or 6-aminocapric acid nitrile before being fed into reactor (B), and then analogously to step (b) caprolactam is produced by distillation; and either (d1) the bottom product from step (b) is fed into reactor A of step (a); or (d2) optionally water and possibly a low-boiling or a high-boiling alcohol are added to the bottom product which then, analogously to step (a) is heated in a reactor (C) to give a reaction product which is distilled to yield caprolactam; or (d3) water is added to the bottom product which is heated in a reactor (D) without added catalyst to give a reaction product which is distilled to yield caprolactam; or (d4) water and a base are added to the bottom product which is heated in reactor (E) to give a reaction product which is distilled to yield caprolactam.
Abstract:
A process is proposed for the production of cyclic lactams by allowing aminocarboxylic acid nitriles to react with water in the presence of catalysts. The reaction takes place in the fluid phase in a fixed bed reactor in the presence of heterogeneous catalysts, no constituents of which are soluble under these reaction conditions.