Process for preparing heterocycles

US8222406B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EVONIK DEGUSSA GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Kuebelbaeck · Ulmen, DE
• Manfred Neumann · Marl, DE
• Marianne Omeis · Dorsten, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 22, 2009
• Grant date: Jul 17, 2012
• Expiry date: Sep 8, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/582
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Provided is a process for preparing a heterocycle by catalytic reaction of an aromatic dinitrile with an amino alcohol, wherein the process includes: initially charging into a reaction vessel the amino alcohol and a catalyst to produce a reaction mixture; adding the aromatic dinitrile into the reaction mixture, which is maintained at a reaction temperature, wherein no solvent other than the amino alcohol of formula (III) is added to the reaction mixture prior to and/or during the catalytic reaction; and after completion of the catalytic reaction, completely replacing, or substantially completely replacing, unreacted amino alcohol with a nonpolar solvent to obtain the heterocycle, wherein the unreacted amino alcohol is present in an amount of not more than 20 wt. %, preferably 3-10 wt. % or less, based on a total weight of the heterocycle.