Preparation of caprolactam
AssigneeBASF SE
InventorsUwe Vagt, Rolf Fischer, Franz Merger, Hans-Martin Hutmacher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
.epsilon.-caprolactam is prepared by a process in which (a) a 5-formylvalerate is reacted with water in the presence of an acidic agent at from 30.degree. to 200.degree. C., (b) the 5-formylvaleric acid thus obtained is reacted with excess ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and of a solvent which is inert under the reaction conditions, at from 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. under superatmospheric pressure, and (c) after the ammonia has been separated off, the resulting solution of 6-aminocaproic acid is heated to 150.degree.-370.degree. C. and the caprolactam formed is isolated.
Claims9
A process for the preparation of .epsilon.-caprolactam, wherein
- (a) a 5-formylvalerate is reacted with water in the presence of an acidic agent at from 30.degree. to 200.degree. C.,
- (b) the 5-formylvaleric acid thus obtained is reacted with excess ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and of a solvent which is inert under the reaction conditions, at from 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. under superatmospheric pressure, and
- (c) after the ammonia has been separated off, the resulting solution of 6-aminocaproic acid is heated to 150.degree.-370.degree. C. and the caprolactam formed is isolated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.