Process for the preparation of concentrated solutions of urea compounds

In a process for preparing a concentrated aqueous or aqueous/organic solution of low electrolyte content containing 10-60% by weight of an urea compound of the formula

• F.sub.1 --NH--CO--NH--F.sub.2
• wherein F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 are identical or different radicals of dyestuffs or dyestuff intermediates containing acid groups, by reaction of an equivalent of each of two amines of the formulas
• F.sub.1 --NH.sub.2 and F.sub.2 --NH.sub.2
• with one equivalent of
• Cl--CO--X
• wherein X is chlorine or aryloxy;
• the improvement which comprises:
• (1) conducting the reaction of a pH at 4.0-8.0 in the presence of an amount of alkaline earth metal ions equivalent to the acid groups present in F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 ;
• (2) removing the sparingly soluble alkaline earth metal salt of said urea compound;
• (3) suspending said alkaline earth metal salt of said urea compound in water or a mixture of water and a water miscible organic solvent;
• (4) adding to the resulting suspension
• (a) a salt of lithium, an ammonium salt, or a salt of an organic base wherein the amount of such salt and said alkaline earth metal ions are capable of forming an second alkaline earth metal salt which is not more than sparingly soluble in the liquid medium of said suspension, or
• (b) equivalent amounts of the appropriate acid and base to form in situ said salt of lithium, said ammonium salt, or said salt or an organic base;
• (5) removing said second alkaline earth metal salt as a precipitate;
• and
• (6) recovering a solution containing a low electrolyte concentration and 10%-10% by weight of said urea compound.