Abstract:
A process for the preparation of N-substituted lactams of the formula
WHEREIN A is a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon chain having 3 to 11 carbon atoms, said substituents comprising one or more alkyl groups each having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 17 carbon atoms, comprising reacting at least one starting lactam of the formula
WITH AN ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA X - CH2-R wherein X is chlorine, bromine or iodine, in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide in solid form or in at least 50% aqueous solution at a reaction temperature of from 20*C to 120*C.
Abstract:
THE METHOD RELATES TO THE POLYMERIZATION OF LACTAMS HAVING MORE THAN 6 MEMBER RINGS, AT A TEMPERATURE IN THE RANGE OF 130-180*C. AN ALKALINE POLYMERIZATION CATALYST AND A MIXTURE OF COCATALYSTS IS EMPLOYED IN THE POLYMERIZATION REACTION. THE COCATALYST MIXTURE CONSISTS OF FROM 30-70% OF A HIGH-ACTIVITY COCATALYST COMPRISING ACETYLLACTAMS, ACID CHLORIDES, ACID ANHYDRIDES, CYANAMIDES, ISOCYANATES, KETENES, AND OXAZOLIDINEDIONE DERIVATIVES, AND THE BALANCE CONSISTING OF POLYCARBODIMIDES.
Abstract:
Lactams are purified by forming a melt of crude lactam and adding to it sufficiently finely divided solid crude lactam to make a mixture in which the melt forms 50-90% by weight, maintaining the mixture in an adiabatic state and, after melting equilibrium is reached, separating crystals of purified lactam from the mixture. The process is particularly suitable for the purification of lactams having 7-13 ring members. The crude lactam may be subjected to a preliminary treatment with potassium permanganate prior to purification.