Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for the purification of Epsilon -caprolactam prepared by catalytic cyclohexanone oxime rearrangement in the gaseous phase which comprises mixing the crude lactam at a temperature above its melting point with at least one branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, the mixing proportions ensuring the formation of a liquid lactam phase in addition to the hydrocarbon phase, separating off the hydrocarbon phase, recrystallising the dissolved lactam from the hydrocarbon phase by cooling, and subjecting the lactam crystals thus obtained to fractional vacuum distillation.
Abstract:
1. ABRASION-RESISTANT CATALYST CONTAINING BORIC ACID AND BORON NITRIDE SUITABLE FOR THE PREPARATION OF LACTAMS BY THE REARRANGEMENT OF CYCLIC KETOXIMES CONTAINING 5 TO 12 CARBON ATOMS IN THE RING IN THE GASEOUS PHASE AT A TEMPERATURE OF 200*C, TO 400:C., OBTAINED BY HEATING AT A TEMPERATURE OF 250* TO 900*C. (A) A MIXTURE OF BORIC ACID AND A SUPPORTING MATERIAL OF 1:4 TO 3:2, AND (B) -030% ACID: SUPPORTING MATERIAL OF 1:4 TO 3:2, AND (B) 1-30% BY WEIGHT BASED ON (A) OF A NITROGEN-CONTAINING COMPOUND WHICH FORMS BORON NITRIDE WITH BORIC ACID OR BORON TRIOXIDE SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF HN4OH, (NH4)2CO3, NH4CL, UREA, GUANIDINE AND THIOUREA.
Abstract:
THE PROCESS OF REARRANGING CYCLIC KETOXIMES IN THE GASEOUS PHASE IN THE PRESENCE OF BORIC ACID CATALYST TO THE CORRESPONDING LACTAMS IS IMPROVED BY USING THE BORIC ACID CATALYST WHICH ARE MORE ABRASION RESISTANT BY PARTIALLY NITRIDING THE CATALYST WITH A NITROGEN-CONTAINING MATERIAL E.G. AMMONIA UREA.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a process for the removal of oximes from lactams which comprises treating an oxime-containing lactam obtained by the catalytic rearrangement of an oxime in the gaseous phase with sulphur dioxide at a temperature of from 70* to 170*C. and up to a concentration of at least 1 mol of sulphur dioxide based on 1 mol of the oxime removing on completion of the reaction the excess sulphur dioxide and recovering the lactam by distillation.