Patent ID: 7700806
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for preparing ethylene amines and ethanolamines comprising hydrogenatively aminating monoethylene glycol and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst, wherein said process comprises a first and a second process stage, wherein: in said first process stage, said amination is carried out over a hydroamination catalyst resulting in monoethylene glycol conversion of not more than 40%; and in said second process stage, a supported catalyst which comprises an active composition comprising ruthenium and cobalt and is in the form of a shaped catalyst body is employed, wherein said shaped catalyst body has a diameter of less than 3 mm when it is spherical or rod-shaped, a height of less than 3 mm when it is pellet-shaped, and an equivalent diameter L=1/a′ of less than 0.70 mm when it is any other geometry, wherein a′ is the external surface area per unit volume (mm  wherein A