Abstract:
2-NITROCYCLOHEXANONE IS CLEAVED IN THE PRESENCE OF 6AMINOCAPROIC ACID AS A CATALYST. 6-NITROCAPROIC ACID IS PRODUCED WHICH CAN BE REDUCED WITH HYDROGEN TO 6AMINOCAPROIC ACID AND THE LATTER CYCLIZED TO CAPROLACTAM BY HEATING IN FAIRLY DILUTE AQUEOUS SOLUTION, LESS THAN 25%. THE CAPROLACTAM FORMATION IS AN EQUILIBRIUM REACTION AND SOME AMINOCAPROIC ACID REMAINS WHICH CAN BE SEPARATED AND USED AS A CATALYST IN THE CLEAVAGE OF THE 2-NITROCYCLOHEXANONE.
Abstract:
A CONTINUOUS PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CAPROLACTAM, INCLUDING ACETYLATION OF CYCLOHEXANONE WITH ACETIC ANHYDRIDE AND KETENE (WHICH REACTS WITH ACETIC ACID FORMED IN THE ACETYLATION REACTION). THE CYCLOHEXENYL ACETATE FORMED IS THEN NITRATED WITH CONCENTRATED NITRIC ACID AND THE RESULTING NITROCYCLOHEXANONE SEPARATED BY DISTILLATION. ACETIC ANHYDRIDE IS RECYCLED TO THE ACETYLATION REACTION, AND ACETIC ACID TOGETHER WITH MAKEUP ACETIC ACID IS PYROLYZED TO KETENE, WHICH IS ALSO USED IN THE ACETYLATION REACTION. THE NITROCYCLOHEXANONE IS THEN CLEAVED WITH AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE TO FORM THE AMMONIUM SALT OF 6-NITRO CAPROIC ACID, WHICH IS THEN REDUCED WITH HYDROGEN AND A HYDROGENATION CATALYST TO PRODUCE 6-AMINO CAPROIC ACID. THIS INTERMEDIATE IS THEN SEPARATED BY REMOVING AMMONIA, WHICH IS RECYCLED WITH MAKEUP AMMONIA TO THE CLEAVAGE REACTION. THE AQUEOUS 6-AMINO CAPROIC ACID IS THEN HEATED IN DILUTE AQUEOUS SOLUTION, 5% TO 25% W./V., TO CYCLIZE TO CAPROLACTAM. THE CAPROLACTAM IS THEN EXTRACTED WITH AN ORGANIC SOLVENT, SUCH AS TRICHLOROETHYLENE, AND THE UNCONVERTED AQUEOUS AMINO CAPROIC ACID RECYCLE TO THE CYCLIZATION STEP. SOLVENT IS THEN REMOVED AND THE CAPROLACTAM PURIFIED BY KNOWN MEANS. AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS IS THAT THERE IS NO AMMONIUM SULFATE FORMED, WHICH IN EARLIER PROCESSES WAS AN UNDESIRABLE BY-PRODUCT. THE AMMONIA USED IN THE CLEAVAGE REACTION IS RECYCLED AND THERE IS NO LARGE LOSS OF RAW MATERIAL.
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:
Present invention describes the direct catalytic liquid phase synthesis of caprolactam from cyclohexanone, hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. The invention can be carried out by using mesoporous materials amongst the MMS family (mesoporous molecular sieves) as catalysts, such as Ti-MCM-41, A1-MCM-41 and Ti-SBA-15 materials at temperatures between 20 and 120 °C.