Preparation of epsilon-caprolactam

US4731445A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Hans-Martin Hutmacher · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Franz Merger · Bischofswerda, DE
• Franz J. Broecker
• Rolf Fischer · Heidelberg, DE
• Uwe Vagt · Speyer, DE
• Wolfgang Harder · Weinheim, DE
• Claus-Ulrich Priester · Ludwigshafen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 28, 1987
• Grant date: Mar 15, 1988
• Expiry date: Jan 28, 2007

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/52
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Caprolactam is prepared by a process in which PA0 (a) the 5-formylvalerate is reacted with excess ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of an alkanol as the solvent and in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under superatmospheric pressure in the liquid phase at from 40.degree. to 130.degree. C., PA0 (b) excess ammonia and hydrogen are separated off from the reaction mixture, PA0 (c) the resulting reaction mixture is reacted with water at elevated temperatures with simultaneous removal of alkanols, and PA0 (d) the reaction mixture thus obtained is heated to 150.degree.-370.degree. C. and .epsilon.-caprolactam is obtained.