Patent ID: 7312346
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: C07C,C10L

Abstract:
1. A method for the purification of the reaction product mixture of at least one alkanolamine and at least one ester and/or fatty natural material, optionally, in the presence of catalyst, said reaction product mixture containing a significant amount of residual alkanolamine and/or residual catalyst, which comprises providing said reaction product mixture, and either simultaneously or sequentially, in any particular order: (a) adding at least one non-polar solvent to said reaction product mixture; (b) heating said reaction product mixture to a desired extraction temperature; (c) providing aqueous salt solution to said reaction product mixture; (d) adjusting the pH of the reaction product mixture to below 7.0; (e) allowing separation of the reaction product mixture into an organic phase and an aqueous phase after completion of steps (a)-(d); and, (f) removing the aqueous phase to produce a hydroxyalkyl amide composition with a reduced level of residual alkanolamine and/or residual catalyst.