Preparation of .epsilon.-caprolactams

Abstract

Caprolactam is prepared by a process in which (a) a 5-formylvalerate is reacted with excess ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of an alkanol as a solvent and in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under superatmospheric pressure in the liquid phase at from 40.degree. to 130.degree. C., (b) excess ammonia and hydrogen are separated off from the reaction mixture and (c) the reaction mixture thus obtained is heated to 150.degree.-250.degree. C. and .epsilon.-caprolactam is obtained.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.