Process for the acylation of lactams
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsAlan D. Willey, Larry E. Miller
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Abstract
High quality acyl lactam imides are prepared by reacting an acyl lactam of the formula ##STR1## where 5 carbon atoms and an acylating acid of the formula R'CO.sub.2 H or by reacting a lactam, an anhydride of the formula (RCO).sub.2 O where R is 1 to 5 carbon atoms and an acylating acid, preferably in the presence of a base catalyst. The process affords acyl lactam imides in high yield and at lower reaction temperatures by providing for the removal of volatile carboxylic acid by-products under vacuum or by the use of a stripping gas. The acyl lactam imides are particularly suited for use as bleach activators in detergent compositions.
Claims1
A process comprising the steps of:
- a) heating acetic anhydride, benzoic acid, and caprolactam at a temperature of about 130.degree. to about 170.degree. C. to form volatile acetic acid and benzoyl caprolactam;
- b) removing the acetic acid formed during step (a) such that less than about 5 mole percent of acetic acid is present in the reaction mixture;
- and
- c) recovering the benzoyl caprolactam product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.