Preparation of omega-aminoalkanoic acids

A method for preparing omega-aminoalkanoic acids which conprises:

• a. simultaneously contacting at a temperature between about 0.degree. to 40.degree.C. a solution containing a C.sub.7 to C.sub.20 cycloalkene, a denitrating agent and an aprotic organic solvent with dinitrogen tetroxide and oxygen, wherein said denitrating agent is selected from the group consisting of 2-pyrrolidinones, ##EQU7## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 are alkyl of from 1 to 5 carbons and R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 5 carbons, where the mole ratio of cycloalkene to denitrating agent is above about 0.5:1 to about 2:1, thereby forming 2-nitrocycloalkanone,
• b. contacting 2-nitrocycloalkanone with an alcohol, wherein said alcohol is a primary or secondary alcohol corresponding to the formula R'OH where R' is an alkyl group of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, in a non-aqueous environment at a temperature of from about 20.degree. to 200.degree.C. thereby forming an alkyl omega-nitroalkanoate,
• c. contacting said alkyl omega-nitroalkanoate with hydrogen and a Group VIII metal catalyst at a temperature of from 20.degree. to 300.degree.C. under a hydrogen pressure of 500 to 1500 p.s.i.g. thereby forming an alkyl omega-aminoalkanoate, and
• d. contacting said alkyl omega-aminoalkanoate with water at a temperature of from 150.degree. to 300.degree.C.