Preparation of caprolactam from 6-aminocaproic acid, esters and amides

US4767856A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Toni Dockner
• Manfred Sauerwald · Meckenheim, DE
• Rolf Fischer · Heidelberg, DE
• Hans-Martin Hutmacher · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Claus-Ulrich Priester · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Uwe Vagt · Speyer, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 15, 1987
• Grant date: Aug 30, 1988
• Expiry date: Dec 15, 2007

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07D201/08
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In an improved process for preparing caprolactam by heating 6-aminocaproic acid, an ester or amide or mixture thereof in the presence of an inert reaction medium which is liquid under the reaction conditions and has a boiling point above that of caprolactam, the improvement comprises using as the reaction medium a hydrocarbon, maintaining a temperature of from 150.degree. to 350.degree. C., charging the 6-aminocaproic acid, ester, amide or mixture thereof at a rate commensurate with their rate of conversion, and separating caprolactam from the reaction mixture at a rate commensurate with its rate of formation.