Process for the reclamation of alkali metal alkylamides

Abstract

Alkali metal alkylamides, for example, potassium methylamide or mixtures of lithium and potassium methylamides, containing impurities may be purified by a novel process. The first step of the process comprises reacting the alkali metal alkylamides, in solution in methylamine, with ammonia to form the corresponding alkali metal amides which precipitate from solution while the impurities remain dissolved. The solid alkali metal amides are then separated from the solution, e.g., by filtration. The solution containing the impurities is distilled; and the distillate, comprised of methylamine containing some ammonia, is contacted with the alkali metal amides under reflux conditions and then the solution is rectified to remove ammonia. Under these conditions the alkali metal amides react with the methylamine to form a solution in methylamine of alkali metal methylamides freed of impurities. The solution is suitable for use as a catalyst for a deuterium enrichment process.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.