Processes for the preparation of enamines

A process comprising:

• (A) contacting a first mixture with a second mixture in a reaction zone
• (1) wherein said first mixture comprises pyrrolidine, and
• (2) wherein said second mixture comprises 3-methylsulfanyl-butyraldehyde and toluene, and
• (3) wherein said first mixture is contacted with said second mixture below the surface of said second mixture;
• (B) reacting in said reaction zone said pyrrolidine and said 3-methylsulfanyl-butyraldehyde to produce 1-(3-methylsulfanyl-but-1-enyl)-pyrrolidine and H2O, wherein said reacting is conducted under azeotropic distillation conditions comprising
• (1) a pressure from about 5000 Pa to about 15000 Pa, and
• (2) a temperature from about 25° C. to about 65° C.;
• and
• (C) removing a vapor phase comprising toluene and H2O and essentially no 3-methylsulfanyl-butyraldehyde,
• wherein the ratio of
• (the amount of first mixture added):
• (the vapor phase removed) is from about
• (1 part first mixture added):
• (3 parts vapor phase removed) to about
• (1 part first mixture added):
• (10 parts vapor phase removed);
• wherein said process no desiccants are used to remove H2O in said process;
• and
• wherein said process the molar ratio of amine to carbonyl is greater than 1 but less than about 1.1.