Patent ID: 6077955
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: C07C,C07D,C12N,C12P,C12R,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for the preparation of five-membered ring lactams or six-membered ring lactams from an aqueous reaction mixture containing an .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt, comprising:(a) contacting an aqueous product mixture containing an .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst, whereby the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt is converted directly to the corresponding lactam without isolation of the intermediate .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid, .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt, .omega.-aminocarboxylic acid or .omega.-aminocarboxylic acid ammonium salt; and(b) recovering the lactam from the aqueous product mixture resulting from step (a).