Direct oximation of ketones using gallia catalysts
AssigneeAllied Chemical Corporation
InventorJohn N. Armor
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Abstract
Ammonia, oxygen e.g., as air, and a ketone react in contact with a gallium oxide catalyst at temperatures such as 50.degree.-500.degree. C., especially such catalyst obtained by heating hydrated gallium nitrate in air at about 350.degree. C. for several hours. The oximes have known utilities, including uses as oxidation inhibitors and as intermediates for production of amides. In particular, when the ketone is cyclohexanone, the cyclohexanone oxime in the reaction product can further be converted to the cyclic amide, caprolactam, e.g. by contacting the product with an aluminosilicate catalyst (treated with boric acid) having average pore diameter of at least 7 angstroms, especially a molecular sieve, suitably downstream in the same direction vessel. Caprolactam is the monomer starting material for nylon 6.
Claims6
Direct process for production of oxime which comprises passing a mixture consisting essentially of ammonia, oxygen and a ketone in contact with a solid catalyst consisting essentially of gallium oxide having a surface area of at least 1 square meter per gram, at temperature in the range of 50.degree. C.-500.degree. C., thereby producing oxime in recoverable form as a reaction product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.