Patent ID: 6307086
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for preparing compounds of the formula IIb: ##STR10##whereinR is C.sub.6 -C.sub.30 -alkyl or C.sub.6 -C.sub.30 -alkenyl, which may additionally have up to 5 hydroxyl groups, formyl groups, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy groups, phenoxy groups or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxycarbonyl groups as substituents and may be interrupted by up to 5 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, or alkoxylate groups of the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.k --O--(A.sup.1 O).sub.m --(A.sup.2 O).sub.n --Y, wherein A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 are, independently of one another, 1,2-alkylene groups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, Y is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -alkyl, phenyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxycarbonyl, and k is 1, 2 or 3, and m and n are each numbers ranging from 0 to 50, and the total of m+n must be at least 4, comprising:reacting iminodiacetonitrile with an aldehyde of the formula R--CHO and HCN or an alkali metal cyanide, wherein the process is conducted(a) in the absence of an organic solvent by reacting without diluent and in the presence of a Lewis or Bronsted acid, or(b) in the presence or absence of an organic solvent and in the presence of an emulsifier, or(c) in the presence or absence of an organic solvent and under a pressure in the range from 2 to 15 bar.