Continuous preparation of linear polyethylenepolyamines using novel catalysts derived from titania and a trialkyl phosphate or phosphite

In a method wherein monoethanolamine is reacted with ethylenediamine in the presence of a phosphorous containing catalyst to provide an essentially noncyclic product comprising polyethylenepolyamines, the improvement for conducting said process on a continuous basis which comprises:

• a. using a catalyst consisting essentially of thermally activated pelleted titania having from about 0.5 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of phosphorous derived from a trialkyl phosphate or a trialkyl phosphite thermally, chemically bonded, thereto, said catalyst having been prepared by impregnating pellets of titania with a trialkyl phosphate or a trialkyl phosphite and heating the impregnated pellets at a temperature of about 100.degree. to about 150.degree. C. for a period of time ranging from about 0.5 to 5 hours sufficient to thermally chemically bond about 0.5 to about 10 wt. % of phosphorous to the thus treated pellets, next water washing the pellets to remove chemically uncombined phosphorous and thereafter recovering and drying the thus treated pellets,
• b. continuously contacting a mixture of ethylenediamine and monoethanolamine in the molar ratio of about 1 to 5 moles of ethylenediamine per mole of monoethanolamine with said pelleted catalyst at a temperature of about 250.degree. to about 400.degree. C. and a pressure of about 500 to about 3000 psig. to obtain an essentially noncyclic reaction product.