Abstract:
A process provided for separating an Alpha -amino- omega lactam of the formula:
WHEREIN N IS AN INTEGER FROM 0 TO 12, IN ITS FREE FORM FROM THE REARRANGED MIXTURE OBTAINED BY THE Beckmann rearrangement of an Alpha -aminocycloalkanone oxime of the formula:
WHEREIN N IS AN INTEGER FROM 0 TO 12, WHICH PROCESS COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: CONTACTING THE REARRANGED MIXTURE WITH A SOLVENT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF: A. LINEAR AND CYCLIC ETHERS AND POLYETHERS, B. C3 to C8 alcohols in the absence of chloride ions, C. NITRILES CONTAINING TWO OR MORE CARBON ATOMS, D. AROMATICS AND HALOAROMATICS IN THE PRESENCE OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID (A) OR (B), WHEREIN THE HALO SUBSTITUENT IS CHLORINE OR BROMINE AND IS ATTACHED DIRECTLY TO THE RING, E. CHLOROFORM, F. TRICHLOROETHYLENE IN THE PRESENCE OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID (A) OR (B), AND G. MIXTURES OF TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY NEUTRALIZING THE RESULTANT SOLUTION WITH AN EXCESS OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA BASED ON THE HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION IN THE SOLUTION, WHEREBY AN INSOLUBLE AMMONIUM SALT PRECIPITATE IS FORMED; AND SEPARATING A SOLUTION CONTAINING AN Alpha -AMINO- omega -LACTAM IN ITS FREE FORM FROM THE PRECIPITATE.