Abstract:
A process for preparing caprolactam by cyclization of 6-aminocapronitrile in the presence of water at elevated temperature and in the presence or absence of a catalyst and a solvent, comprises a) removing from the cyclization reaction effluent ("reaction effluent I") caprolactam and all components boiling higher than caprolactam ("high boilers"), b) treating the high boilers of stage a) with phosphoric acid and/or polyphosphoric acid at from 200 to 350.degree. C. to obtain a reaction effluent II, and c) removing caprolactam formed and any 6-aminocapronitrile from reaction effluent II of stage b) to obtain separation from unconverted high boilers and acid used.
Abstract:
Cyclic lactams are prepared by reacting amino carbonitriles with water in liquid phase in a fixed bed reactor in the presence of heterogeneous catalysts which have no soluble constituents under the reaction conditions.
Abstract:
In an improved process for preparing caprolactam by heating 6-aminocaproic acid, an ester or amide or mixture thereof in the presence of an inert reaction medium which is liquid under the reaction conditions and has a boiling point above that of caprolactam, the improvement comprises using as the reaction medium a hydrocarbon, maintaining a temperature of from 150.degree. to 350.degree. C., charging the 6-aminocaproic acid, ester, amide or mixture thereof at a rate commensurate with their rate of conversion, and separating caprolactam from the reaction mixture at a rate commensurate with its rate of formation.
Abstract:
Five-membered nitrogen-containing saturated heterocyclic compounds, e.g. pyrrolidone, can be prepared by the catalytic hydrogenation/amination of a five-membered heterocyclic anhydride or the corresponding acid. This reaction proceeds with high yields and selectivities when it is conducted in the presence of complex catalysts containing ruthenium.
Abstract:
A process for production of 2-pyrrolidone which comprises (a) contacting succinonitrile with water at a temperature between 150.degree. and 300.degree. C. and a pressure between 50 and 10,000 psig to thereby hydrolyze succinonitrile and (b) contacting the hydrolyzed succinonitrile with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst and at a temperature between 200.degree. and 300.degree. C. and a pressure between 100 and 10,000 psig to thereby obtain 2-pyrrolidone.
Abstract:
Epsilon-caprolactam is prepared without the formation of byproduct ammonium sulfate by contacting at least one of Epsilon caprolactone or a C1-4 lower alkyl ester of Epsilon hydroxycaproic acid, hydrogen and ammonia in the vapor phase at 200* to 320*C. with a solid catalyst comprising (A) at least one oxide selected from titanium dioxide, alumina, aluminasilica and silica, and (B) metallic copper. Optionally the catalyst contains metallic nickel and/or chromium sesquioxide.
Abstract:
THE MANUFACTURE OF THE LACTAMS CONTAINING 4 OR 5 CARBON ATOMS (4-BUTYROLACTAM AND 5-VALEROLACTAM) IN WHICH SUCCINIMIDE AND GLUTARIMIDE, OR MIXTURES THEREOF, ARE REACTED WITH HYDROGEN IN THE PRESENCE OF A HYDROGENATION CATALYST AT A PRESSURE OF ABOUT FROM 1 TO 1000 ATOMSPHERES AND AT A TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT FROM 230 TO 300* C. IN THE ABSENCE OF A SOLVENT, AND ISOLATING THE LACTAMS FORMED.
Abstract:
A process for the preparation of aromatic lactams which comprises hydrogenating an aromatic polycarboxylic acid in the presence of a Raney cobalt catalyst.
Abstract:
A METHOD FOR PREPARING A 2-PYRROLIDINONE BY CONTACTING A DINITROALCOHOL HAVING AT LEAST 5 CARBON ATOMS CORRESPONDING TO THE FORMULA:
R-C(-R1)(-NO2)-C(-R2)(-R3)-C(-R4)(-R5)-CH(-OH)-
C(-R6)(-NO2)-R7
WITH AN ACIDIC OXIDIZING AGENT AT A PH NOT EXCEEDING 4 THEREBY FORMING A 4-NITROALKANOIC ACID OF THE FORMULA:
R-C(-R1)(-NO2)-C(-R2)(-R3)-C(-R4)(-R5)-COOH
AND THEREAFTER HYDROGENATING THE 4-NITROALKANOIC ACID IN AN ALCOHOLIC MEDIUM IN THE PRESENCE OF A MINOR AMOUNT OF A MINERAL ACID AND A HYDROGENATION CATALYST PREFERABLY SELECTED FROM THE GROUPS OF PLATINUM METALS AT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM ABOUT 20 TO 200*C. AND UNDER HYDROGEN PRESSURES OF FROM 1 TO 100 ATMOSPHERES. THE 2-PYRROLIDINONES CONTEMPLATED CORRESPOND TO THE FORMULA:
2-R,2-R1,3-R2,3-R3,4-R4,4-R5-PYRROLIDIN-5-ONE
AND ARE USEFUL AS SOLVENTS FOR POLYMERS, INSECTICIDES AND PETROLEUM PROCESSING AND SEPARATION; AS PLASTICIZERS FOR ACRYLIC POLYMERS AND COPOLYMERS; AND AS DECOLORIZING AGENTS.