Production of mixtures of methylenedianiline and its higher homologues using calcined metal oxide-silica catalysts

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to compositions, systems, and methods of forming an amine (e.g., methylenedianiline (MDA)) using an acid catalyst including, for example, a metal oxide-silica catalyst calcined at temperature(s) of about ≧500° C. to form a solid acid silica-metal oxide catalyst. A metal oxide of a solid acid silica-metal oxide catalyst may comprise alumina. A process for making a solid acid silica-metal oxide catalyst may comprise calcining an amorphous alumina-silica material at temperature(s) of about ≧500° C. and/or under an anhydrous and/or inert atmosphere. A rearrangement reaction of the condensation product of aniline and formaldehyde in the presence of a solid acid silica-metal oxide catalyst may yield more MDA and/or more desirable isomer(s) of MDA than reactions performed with a corresponding catalyst calcined at temperature(s) of less than 500° C.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.