Abstract:
A PROCESS FOR PREPARING N-VINYL-3-ALKYL LACTAMS COMPRISING HEATING A LACTONE HAVING THE FORMULA:
R-C(-R1) WHEREIN R AND R1 ARE SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF HYDROGEN, METHYL AND ETHYL AND M IS AN INTEGER OF FROM 1 TO 3 IN THE PRESENCE OF AN A-OLEFIN AND A TERTIARY ALKYL ORGANIC PEROXIDE SO AS TO ALKYLATE SAME IN THE 3 POSITION, HEATING THE ALKYLATED LACTONE WITH ANHYDROUS AMMONIA UNDER PRESSURE AND SUBSEQUENTLY FORMING THE SALT OF THE RESULTING LACTAM AND VINYLATING SAID LACTAM.
Abstract:
A method of producing ε-caprolactam from 3-oxoadipic acid includes: step 1 of mixing at least one selected from the group consisting of 3-oxoadipic acid and salts thereof with a catalyst and a solvent in the presence of hydrogen to produce 3-hydroxyadipic acid; and step 2 of reacting the 3-hydroxyadipic acid which is a product of step 1, a salt or carboxylic acid derivative thereof, or a mixture of these with hydrogen and ammonia.