Process for the production of amides

Abstract

A process for the production of an amide comprising: (a) reacting R1—CX and oxygen to form R1—COOH, wherein the reacting occurs in the liquid or vapor phase and in the presence of a first catalyst, wherein X is a group that leaves upon oxidation, and wherein R1 is phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more identical or different radicals selected from (C1-C12)-alkyl, (C1-C12)-alkoxy, (C1-C12)-alkanoyloxy, (C1-C12)-alkanoyl, amino, hydroxyl, —CH2—O—(C1-C12)-alkyl, —NH—(C1-C12)-alkyl, —NH—CO—(C1-C12)-alkyl, or —S—(C1-C12)-alkyl; (b) separating the R1—COOH from the mixture formed in step (a), wherein the R1—COOH is maintained in a liquid or vapor phase; and (c) reacting the R1—COOH maintained in the liquid or vapor phase from step (b) with an amine to form an amide, wherein the reacting occurs in the vapor phase and in the presence of a second catalyst.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.