METHOD FOR PRODUCING UNSYMMETRICAL DIPHENYLAMINES

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the production of unsym­ metrical, substituted diarylamines by the reaction of a primary aromatic amine and a substituted phenol wherein the phenol is held in excess of the primary aromatic amine thereby minimiz­ ing by-product formation as a result of self-condensation of the primary arylamine. The desired secondary amine is pro­ duced in high yield and purity by recycling the unreated phenol.

Description: MEr±HOD FOR PRODUCING US TRICEL DIPhENYLAINES This invention relates to the preparation of unsymmetrical, substituted diphenylamines, especially 3-methyldiphenylamine. There has long been known procedures for the production of symmetrical, unsubstituted diphenylamines. Aniline is normally condensed in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst. Such processes are disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,079,439 and 3,118,944. The production of diphenylamine from aniline in the liquid phase is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,205,265 wherein the reaction is catalyzed by a halogen and an oxygen containing compound of phosphorous. More recently, there has been disclosed a process for the manufacture of diarylamines by the reaction of a phenol and aniline in the presence of a small concentration of sulfonic acid. Such process is disclosed in German Patent 2,042,774. This patent suggests the manufacture of both symmetrical and unsymmetrical substituted diphenylamines in the presence of the acid catalyst. n contInuous process is sug- gested through the use of interconnected autoclaves in succession whereby each autoclave is outfitted with a distillation column for the removal of water produced in the reaction. According to this process, the reaction operates with an excess of aniline. Under these conditions, the self-condcnsation of aniline leads to the formation of a substantial amount of by-product which is diphenylamine. In yet another process described in Canadian Patent No. 1,005,462, there is described a process for the production of diarylamines by the reaction of naphthol and a primary arylamine. In such process, ferric chloride is utilized as a catalyst. As in similar prior art, the primary arylamine is utilized in excess and therefore the formationof by-product by self-condensation of the primary arylamine is significant. In all of the prior art, there is great tolerance for impurities in the final product, usually diphenylamine resulting from the self-condensation of aniline. The presence of such an impurity was probably of little concern because the end use of the product did not require high purity. However, there is a need to provide unsymmetrical diarylamines in high yield and purity when such amines are utilized as precursors for other products. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for the production of unsymmetrical, substituted diarylamines by the reaction of a primary arylamine and a substituted phenolic compound wherein the phenolic compound is present in excess of the amine. Subsequent to completion of the reaction, the unreacted phenolic compound is recovered and recycled for reaction with additional primary arylamine. Surprisingly, the process provides for the suppression of the self-condensation of the primary arylamine while still providing for a high yield of the desired unsymmetrical substituted diarylamine. The process of this invention successfully achieves suppression of the traditional problem of selfcondensation of primary arylamines by employing an excess of the phenolic compound in the reaction mixture. Generally, the molar ratio of primary arylamine to the phenolic compound is in the range of from about .1:1 to about .7:1. owever, a molar ratio of primary arylamine to phenolic compound of about .3:1 has been found to be optimum. The excess phenolic compound is subsequently recovered easily from the reaction mixture for reuse in subsequent production of the desired substituted, unsymmetrical diarylamine. By the recycling step, a high yield and overall conversion is achieved even though low conversion is experienced in each individual reaction. A catalyst has been found to be useful in the process of this invention to increase the rate of reaction between the phenolic compound and the primary amine. Any suitable catalyst can be employed, preferably ferric chloride. Other catalysts include benzene-sulfonic acid, toluene sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, and acid alumina. The amount of catalyst utilized is usually in the range of from about 1 to about 15 percent by weight of both reactants, although about 5 percent by weight has been found to be most efficient. Various substituted or unsubstituted primary arylamines can be employed in the process of this invention. For the particular case of 3-methyldiphenyl amine, aniline is preferred because of its availability and low cost. Other suitable primary arylamines include alkylamino benzenes, such as the toluidines and xylidines. The phenolic compounds of most interest include substituted or unsubstituted phenolic compounds. For the particular case of 3-methyldiphenylamine, mcresol is preferred. Other phenol compounds include naphthols and the corresponding anthracene derivatives. Figure 1 provides a flow chart outlining the various steps in the process of this invent ion. A typical reaction involves aniline and mcresol with ferric chloride as the catalyst. Accordingly, in Figure 1, a pressure reactor system equipped with a stirrer is charged with about 5 moles of aniline, 15.6 moles of m-cresol and about .71 moles of anhydrous ferric chloride. The reaction is typically operated under an inert atmosphere of nitrogen at a temperature in the range of about 2800C to 3500C. Since water is produced during the reaction, a control valve is utilized to periodically vent the system allowing water to be removed during the reaction as it accumulates. The reaction proceeds for about 1 to 6 hours depending on the operating temperature. As the reaction proceeds, the pressure oscilates in the narrow range of the control valve setting as water is removed. A small amount of aniline escapes with the water but is inconsequential and can be easily recovered. At the end of the reaction, the reactor is cooled and the entire contents of the reactor are transferred to a vacuum distillation system. The catalyst could be removed by filtration prior to distillation. The first fraction, as indicated in Figure 1 by Fr. 1, is removed and contains water with traces of m-cresol and aniline. This is discarded and a second fraction is obtained containing about 98 percent m-cresol with traces of aniline, diphenylamine and 3-methyldiphenylamine. This fraction is reused as the m-cresol for the next batch as indicated in Figure 1. The residue from the vacuum distillation is then treated with a phosphate to remove traces of iron from the product. In this illustrative procedure, about .5 parts by weight of sodium tripolyphosphate is added to 1 part residue. The mixture is held at about 1000C for about 1 hour with stirring. This mixture is then filtered to remove the inorganic salts as indicated in Figure 1 with the filtrate being trar.s- ferred to a vacuum distillation system. The phosphate treatment is required only if traces of iron are detrimental to the quality of the final product. It has been found that a small amount of potassium carbonate added to this second distillation system results in the production of a colorless product. An intermediate fraction is obtained containing traces of m-cresol, aniline, diphenylamine and a slight amount of 3-methyl diphenylamine. This is indicated in Figure 1 as "DPA" and may be combined with subsequent batches for recovery of the useful material therein. The main fraction is recovered at a temperature in the range of from about 1700C to about 1800C under 10 2 mm of mercury vacuum to provide 3-methyldiphenylamine in excess of 97 percent purity. A small amount of diphenylamine is also present. The diphenylamine content of the final product is dependent upon the efficiency of the distillation unit. The residue is easily removed from the distillation system with water. As indicated above, the excess phenolic compound is recycled thereby providing a high yield and overall conversion while at the same time providing a highly pure product. Other modifications and ramifications of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the present disclosure. These are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A4 process for preparing substituted, unsymmetrical diarylsiuines by the reaction of a primary arylamine and an alkyl substituted phenolic compound in the presence of a catalyst, characterized in that the substituted phenolic compound is maintained in excess of the primary amine whereby the self-condensation of the primary amine is suppressed. 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the molar ratio of primary amine to substituted phenolic compound is in the range of from about .1:1 to about .7:1. 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the molar ratio of the primary amine to substituted phenolic compound is in the range of about .3:1. 4. The process of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the excess phenolic compound is recovered from the reaction product and recycled to said process. 5. The process of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the catalyst is ferric chloride. 6. A process for the preparation of a substituted, unsymmetrical dipherylm-ne by the reaction of aniline and an alkyl substituted phenolic compound in the presence of a catalyst, cbaracterized in that al'ryl substituted phenol compound 5 maintained in excess of the aniline whereby the self-condersat on of the aniline is suppressed 7. The process of claim 6 wherein the molar ratio of aniline to alkyl substituted phenol compound is in the range of from about .1:1 to about .7:1. 8. 'The process of claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the excess alkyl substituted phenolic compound is recovered from the reaction product and recycled to said process. 9. The process of any one of claim 6 to 8 wherein the alkyl substituted phenol compound is cresol. 10. The process of any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the catalyst is ferric chloride. CLAIMS: 1. A process for preparing substituted, unsymmetrical diarylamines by the reaction of a primary arylamine and a phenolic compound in the presence of a catalyst, the primary amine and/or the phenolic compound being substituted as appropriate, characterized in that the phenolic compound is maintained in excess of the primary amine whereby the self-condensation of the primary amine is suppressed. 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the molar ratio of primary amine to phenolic compound is in the range of from about .1:1 to about .7:1. 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the molar ratio of the primary amine to phenolic compound is in the range of about .3:1. 4. The process of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the excess phenolic compound is recovered from the reaction product and recycle1 to said process. 5. The process of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the catalyst is ferric chloride. 6. A process for the preparation of a substituted, unsymmetrical diphenylamine by the reaction of aniline and an alkyl substituted phenolic compound in the presence of a catalyst, characterized in that alkyl substituted phenol compound is maintained in excess of the aniline whereby the self-condensation of the aniline is suppressed. 7. The process of claim 6 wherein the molar ratio of aniline to alkyl substituted phenolic compound is in the range of from about .1:1 to about .7:1. 8. The process of claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the excess alkyl substituted phenolic compound is recovered from the reaction product and recycled to said process.

Inventors: FREEMAN, DANIEL E., LENNON, JOHN M., MARTIN, TREVOR I., SZABO, PAUL
Applicants: XEROX CORPORATION
Application year: 1980
Main classification: C07C85
IPC codes: C07C209