Preparation of cyclic N,N'-dimethylureas

US4970321A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Rainer Betz · Stockach, DE
• Erwin Hahn · Heidelberg, DE
• Rolf Fikentscher · Ludwigshafen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 23, 1989
• Grant date: Nov 13, 1990
• Expiry date: Aug 23, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07D233/34
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Cyclic N,N'-dimethylureas I ##STR1## where A is a 1,2- or 1,3-alkylene group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, are prepared by reacting the corresponding non-methylated cyclic urea with formaldehyde and excess formic acid and then removing the formic acid still present in the reaction mixture, by a process in which the formic acid is subjected to a thermal decomposition reaction by means of a catalyst system consisting of a tertiary amine and a copper salt.