PROCESS FOR PRODUCING CYCLIC AMINES

Abstract: A catalyst for the vapor phase intramolecular dehydra­ tion reaction of an alkanolamine represented by the general formula wherein each of R and R′ is selected from hydrogen, a methyl group and an ethyl group, and n is an integer of 2 to 5, to convert it into a cyclic amine represented by the general formula wherein R, R′ and n are as defined above. The catalyst is an oxide composition represented by the fol­ lowing formula X a P b Y c O d wherein X is at least one element selected from elements of Group IIIA, elements of Group IVA, elements of Group VA, transition metal elements of Groups I through VIII, lanthanoid elements and actinoid elements in the periodic table, P is phosphorus, Y is at least one element selected from alkali metal elements and alkaline earth metal elements, O is oxygen, the suffixes a, b, c and d are the atomic ratios of the elements X, P, Y and O respectively, and when a=1, b=0.01 - 6 and c=0 - 3, and d is a value determined by a, b and c and the state of bonding of the constituent elements.

Description: This invention relates to the vapor-phase intramolecular reaction of an alkanolamine of general formula (I) below to convert it into a cyclic amine of general formula (II) below. In the formulae, R and R′ each represent hydro­ gen, a methyl group or an ethyl group, and n is an integer of 2 to 5 (see also EP-A-228 898). Generally, cyclic amines of formula (II), particularly aziridine compounds (n=2), have good re­ activity and react with compounds having various func­ tional groups. Hence, various derivatives having amino groups can be produced from the cyclic amines. Further­ more, since they can be reacted while retaining rings, derivatives having ring-opening reactivity may be pro­ duced from them. Furthermore, polyamine-type polymers can be produced from them by ring-opening polymerization. Accordingly, these cyclic amines have extensive use. Derivatives of the cyclic amines are very useful com­ pounds which are widely used in various industrial fields as, for example, textile finishing agents, antistatic agents, and materials for medicines and agricultural chemicals. Known methods of converting alkanolamines into cyclic amines by dehydration reaction include, for example, the intramolecular cyclization of halo-alkylamines with concentrated alkalies (Gabriel method), and cyclization of alkanolamine sulfuric acid esters with hot concentrated alkalies (Wenker method). These methods, however, are not industrially satisfactory because the use of large amounts of alkalies as a concentrated solution reduces productivity and increases the percentages of the cost of the alkalies in the total expenditure of raw materials, and large amounts of inorganic salts of low utilitarian values are formed as by-products. In recent years, some attempts at dehydration reaction of monoethanolamine as the alkanolamine in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst to produce the corresponding cyclic amine, i.e. ethylenimine, continuous­ ly have been reported in contrast to the above liquid­ phase methods. For example, Chemical Abstracts, 83 , 163983 discloses the use of a tungsten oxide-type cata­ lyst; U. S. Patent No. 4,301,036 discloses the use of a catalyst comprising tungsten oxide and silicon; and U. S. Patents Nos. 4289656, 4337175 and 4477591 disclose the use of niobium- or tantalum-type catalysts. With any of these catalysts, the conversion of monoethanolamine is low. Even when this conversion is relatively high, the propor­ tion of products of side-reactions such as deammoniation reaction and dimerization reaction is high, and the selectivity of ethylenimine is low. Investigations of the present inventors have shown that these catalysts are deteriorated markedly within short periods of time, and are quite unsatisfactory in industrial practice. The present inventors have extensively worked on the vapor-phase intramolecular dehyd­ ration reaction of alkanolamines, and have found that by using an oxide catalyst represented by the general formula X a P b Y c O d wherein X is at least one element selected from elements of Group IIIA, elements of Group IVA, elements of Group VA, transition metal elements of Groups I through VIII, lanthanoid elements and actinoid elements in the periodic table, P is phosphorus, Y is at least one element select­ ed from alkali metal elements and alkaline earth metal elements, O is oxygen, the suffixes a, b, c and d are the atomic ratios of the elements X, P, Y and O respectively, and when a=1, b=0.01-6, preferably 0.05-3, and c=0-3, preferably 0.01-2, and d is a value determined by a, b and c and the state of blonding of the constituent elements, alkanolamines of formula (I) are very conveniently dehydrated intra­ molecularly in the vapor phase to give the desired cyclic amines of formula (II) in high selectivities an high yields stably over a long period of time. Examples of the element X are B, Al, Ga, Tl, Si, Sn, Sb, Bi, Sc, Cu, Zn, Cd, Y, Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ta, W, Mn, Fe, Ni, La, Ce, Eu and Th. Examples of the element Y are Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba. Specific examples of the alkanolamines of formula (I) are (a) monoethanolamine, (b) isopro­ panolamine, (c) 3-amino-1-propanol, (d) 5-amino-1-pentanol, and (e) 2-amino-1-butanol. These examples, however, are not limitative. These amines are converted to cyclic amines of the general formula (II). For example, the compound (a) is converted into ethylenimine; the compound (b), into 2-methyl-ethylenimine; the compound (c), into azetidine; the compound (d), into piperidine; and the compound (e), into 2-ethyl-ethylenimine, all in high conversions and high selectivities stably over long period of time. Raw materials used for preparation of the catalyst used in the process of this invention are as follows. As sources of the X and Y elements, their metals and their oxides, hydroxides, halides, and salts (nitrates, carbonates, sulfates, etc.) may be used. As a source of phosphorus, there may be used various phosphoric acids such as ortho­ phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, meta-phosphoric acid, phophorous acid and polyphosphoric acid, salts of these phosphoric acids (e.g., ammonium ortho-phosphate, sodium ortho-phosphate, etc.), and phosphorus pentoxide. As sources of the elements X and Y and phosphorus, salts between the element X or Y and various phosphoric acids may also be used. There is no particular limitation on a method of preparing the catalyst, and ordinary methods may be used. For example, they include (1) a method which comprises dissolving or suspending raw materials for the element X, the element Y and phosphorus in water, concentrating the solution or suspension by heating with stirring, drying the concentrate, molding it and further calcining it, (2) a method which comprises dissolving raw materials for the X and Y components in water, adding the phosphoric acid or its salt to the solution, optionally adjusting the pH of the solution, forming a precipitate from the solution, filtering the precipitate, washing it with water, and then drying, molding and calcining it, and (3) a method which comprises mixing oxides or hydroxides of the elements X and Y with the phosphoric acid or its salt, molding the mixture after adding a suitable molding aid (such as water or alcohol), drying the molded product and calcining it. The catalyst may be used as supported on a known inert carrier. Preferred examples of such a carrier are silica, alumina, silicon carbide and diatomaceous earth. The calcination temperature for the catalyst, which may be varied depending upon the types of the raw materials used, is 300 to 1,500°C, preferably 400 to 1,200°C. The catalyst shows much higher activity than conventional known catalysts in the vapor-phase intramolecular dehydration reaction of alkanolamines. The selectivity of the desired cyclic amine is very high. Even when this reaction is continu­ ously carried out for a long period of time, the catalyst does not show an appreciable deterio­ ration in activity. Accordingly, the problem of deterio­ ration within a short time, which is most cumbersome in industrial practice, can be fully overcome by the catalyst used in the process of this invention. Incidentally, it has been found that the activity and selectivity of the catalyst are much higher than those of catalysts known for synthesis of ethylenimine from monoethanolamine (for example, the WO₃-SiO₂ catalyst and the Nb₂O₅-BaO catalyst disclosed respectively in Chemical Abstracts, 83 , 163983 and U. S. Patent No. 4,337,175). No detailed reason has yet been able to be assigned to the fact that the catalyst used in the process of this invention exhibits very superior performance in the vapor-phase dehydration reaction of alkanolamines to cyclic amines. However, it may be considered as due to the cooperative action of acid sites and basic sites existing on the surface of the catalyst. The element X controls the acid strength of the acid sites by phosphoric acid and also produces basic sites, thereby creating a surface condition suitable for the present reaction on the catalyst. The element Y exercises a subtle control of the acid and basic sites on the catalyst surface and further increases the selectivity of the desired cyclic amine. Thus, the reaction proceeds effectively on the catalyst by the cooperative action of the acid and base. At the same time, desorption of the product from the catalyst becomes smooth, and the deactivation of the catalyst by poisoning is suppressed. Consequently, the desired cyclic amine can be produced very stably over a long period of time in a high conversion and a high selectivity without involving a reduction in selectivity which is seen to result from an increase in conversion in conventional catalyst known for the same reaction. The reactor for use in carrying out the vapor-­ phase intramolecular dehydration reaction of alkanolamines of this invention may be of a fixed bed type a fluidized bed type, or a moving bed type. As required, the starting alkanolamine may be diluted with an inert gas such as nitrogen, helium or argon to a concentration of 1 to 80% by volume, preferably 2 to 50% by volume, prior to submitting to the reaction. To inhibit side reactions, ammonia or water may be fed together with the alkanolamine. The reaction can usually be carried out under atmospheric pressure, but as re­ quired, it may be performed under elevated or reduced pressure. The reaction temperature, which varies depend­ ing upon the types of the starting material, is within the range of 300 to 600°C. The suitable space velocity of the starting material, which varies depending upon the type of the starting material and the concentration of the starting material, is 100 to 40,000 hr -1 , preferably 500 to 20,000 hr -1 . The following examples illustrate the present invention more specifically. In these examples, the conversion, selectivity and one-pass yield are used in accordance with the following definitions. EXAMPLE 1 Stannous oxide (40.4 g) was suspended in 100 ml of pure water, and 34.6 g of 85% by weight ortho-phosphoric acid was added. With thorough stirring, the mixture was concentrated by heating, and evaporated to dryness over a hot water bath. The product was dried at 120°C for 12 hours in air, pulverized to a size of 2 to 4 mm (9 to 5 mesh), and calcined at 600°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Twenty milliliters of the catalyst was filled in a stainless steel reaction tube having an inside diameter of 16 mm, and the reaction tube was immersed in a molten salt bath at 420°C. A starting gaseous mixture consisting of monoethanolamine and nitrogen in a volume ratio of 5: 95 was passed through the reaction tube at a space velocity of 1500 hr -1 (STP), and monoethanolamine was reacted continuously. The products obtained 2 hours and 50 hours after the start of the reaction were analyzed by gas chromatography. The results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 2 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 1 except that 43.7 g of antimony trioxide was used instead of stannous oxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and isopropanolamine were reacted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 3 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 1 except that 9.0 g of silicon dioxide was used instead of stannous oxide, and the calcination was carried out 24 hours. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanol­ amine and 3-amino-1-propanol were reacted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 4 Aluminum nitrate nonahydrate (112.5 g) was dissolved in 300 ml of pure water, and a solution of 44.7 g of triammonium phosphate in 300 ml of pure water was added with stirring. The resulting precipitate was filtered, washed with water and dried at 120°C for 12 hours. The resulting solid was pulverized to a size of 2 to 4 mm (9 to 5 mesh), and calcined at 1,200°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, mono­ ethanolamine and 2-amino-1-butanol were reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 5 Bismuth hydroxide (8.0 g) and 36.9 g of ammonium pyrophosphate were mixed in the form of a powder, and then kneaded well with a small amount of water. The mixture was molded into pellets having a diameter of 3 mm and a length of 3 mm, dried at 120°C for 12 hours in air, and then calcined at 800°C for 24 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanol­ amine and 5-amino-1-pentanol were reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 6 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 1 except that 191.1 g of thallous oxide was used instead of stannous oxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 7 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 1 except that 11.7 g of aluminum hydroxide and 9.0 g of silicon dioxide were used instead of stannous oxide, and the calcination was carried out for 24 hours. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was re­ acted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 8 Forty grams of the catalyst obtained in Example 2 was added to a solution of 10.2 g of thallous hydroxide in 50 ml of water. The mixture was evaporated to dryness over a hot water bath, dried at 120°C for 12 hours in air, and calcined at 500°C for 4 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 9 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 1 except that 48.8 g of zinc oxide was used instead of stannous oxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 10 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 1 except that 33.9 g of yttrium oxide was used instead of stannous oxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and isopropanolamine were reacted respec­ tively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 11 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 1 except that 39.9 g of niobium pentoxide was used instead of stannous oxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and 3-amino-1-propanol were reacted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 12 Zirconyl nitrate (40.1 g) was dissolved in 300 ml of water, and a solution of 44.7 g of triammonium phosphate in 300 ml of water was added with stirring. The resulting precipitate was filtered, washed with water, dried overnight at 120°C in air, puverized to a size of 2 to 4 mm (9 to 5 mesh), and calcined at 1200°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and 2-amino-1-butanol were reacted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 13 Manganese hydroxide (26.7 g), 21.6 g of ferrous oxide and 36.9 g of ammonium pyrophosphate were mixed in the form of a powder, and then kneaded well with a small amount of water. The mixture was molded into pellets, 3 mm in diameter and 3 mm in length, dried at 120°C for 12 hours in air, and calcined at 800°C for 4 hours in a stream of nitrogen to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and 5-amino-1-­ pentanol were reacted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 14 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 1 except that 75.9 g of titanium oxide and 3.6 g of cuprous oxide were used instead of stannous oxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction con­ ditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 15 Cadmium oxide (15.4 g) was added to a solution of 102.1 g of phosphotungstic acid nonacosahydrate in 100 ml of pure water, and the mixture was evaporated to dryness over a hot water bath. The product was dried at 120°C for 12 hours in air, pulverized to a size of 9 to 5 mesh, and calcined at 600°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 16 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 1 except that 49.2 g of cerous oxide was used instead of stannous oxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 17 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 1 except that 79.2 g of thorium oxide was used instead of stannous oxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and isopropanolamine were reacted respec­ tively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 18 Lanthanum nitrate hexahydrate ( 130.3 g ) was dissolved in 300 ml of pure water, and a solution of 44.7 g of triammonium phosphate in 300 ml of pure water was added to the solution with stirring. The resulting precipitate was filtered, washed with water, dried at 120°C for 12 hours, pulverized to a size of 2 to 4 mm (9 to 5 mesh), and calcined at 800°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and 2-amino-1-butanol were reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 19 Cerium nitrate hexahydrate (117.3 g) and 6.69 g of europium chloride were dissolved in 300 ml of pure water, and a solution of 44.7 g of triammoniun phosphate in 300 ml of pure water was added to the solution with stirring. The resulting precipitate was filtered, washed with water, and dried at 120°C for 12 hours. The solid was pulverized to a size of 2 to 4 mm (9 to 5 mesh), and calcined at 800°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine, 3-amino-1-propanol and 5-amino-1-pentanol were respectively reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 20 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 1 except that 24.6 g of cerous oxide and 39.6 g of thorium oxide were used instead of stannous oxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction con­ ditions and the results are shown in Table 1a. EXAMPLE 21 Antimony trioxide (43.7 g) was suspended in 100 ml of pure water, and 34.6 g of 85% by weight ortho-phosphoric acid was added. With thorough stirring, the mixture was concentrated by heating, and evaporated to dryness over a hot water bath. The product was dried at 120°C for 12 hours in air, and calcined at 600°C for 2 hours. A solution of 12 g of sodium hydroxide in 40 ml of water was added to the resulting solid. The mixture was evaporater to dryness over a hot water bath, dried at 120°C for 12 hours, pulverized to a size of 2 to 4 mm (9 to 5 mesh), and calcined at 500°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamne was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 22 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 21 except that 15.4 g of rubidium hydroxide was used instead of sodium hydroxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and isopropanolamine were reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 23 A solution of 12.6 g of lithium hydroxide monohydrate in 200 ml of water was added to 72.5 g of stannous pyrophosphate, and the mixture was evaporated to dryness over a hot water bath. The resulting solid was dried at 120°C for 12 hours in air, pulverized to a size of 2 to 4 mm (9 to 5 mesh), and calcined at 500°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and 3-amino-1-propanol were reacted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 24 Aluminum nitrate nonahydrate (112.5 g) was dissolved in 300 ml of pure water, and a solution of 44.7 g of triammonium phosphate in 300 ml of pure water was added to the solution with stirring. The resulting precipitate was filtered and washed with water, and a solution of 2.25 g of cesium hydroxide in 10 ml of water was added. They were well kneaded, and dried at 120°C for 12 hours. The resulting solid was pulverized to a size of 2 to 4 mm (9 to 5 mesh), and calcined at 1000°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and 2-amino-1-butanol were reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 25 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 24 except that 9.2 g of barium oxide was used instead of cesium hydroxide. Using the resulting cata­ lyst, monoethanolamine and 5-amino-1-pentanol were reacted respectively by the same method as in example 1. The reaction condition and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 26 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 21 except that 9 g of silicon dioxide was used instead of antimony trioxide, 16.8 g of potassium hydroxide was used instead of sodium hydroxide, and the pre-­ calcination was carried out for 24 hours. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 27 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 21 except that 192.5 g of thallous oxide was used instead of antimony trioxide, and 0.36 g of sodium hydroxide and 0.92 g of rubidium hydroxide were used instead of 12 g of sodium hydroxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in table 1b. EXAMPLE 28 Aluminum oxide (14.5 g), 2.19 g of antimony trioxide, 36.9 g of ammonium hydrogen phosphate and 8.77 g of cesium nitrate were mixed in the form of a powder, and well kneaded with a small amount of water. The mixture was molded into pellets, 3 mm in diameter and 3 mm in length, dried at 120°C for 12 hours, and calcined at 1000°C for 24 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 29 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 21 except that 48.8 g of zinc oxide was used instead of antimony trioxide and 1.2 g of sodium hydroxide was used instead of 12 g of sodium hydroxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was re­ acted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 30 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 29 except that 1.54 g of rubidium hydroxide was used instead of sodium hydroxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and isopropanolamine were reacted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 31 A solution of 12.6 g of lithium hydroxide monohydrate in 200 ml of water was added to 43.0 g of ferrous pyrophosphate octahydrate, and the mixture was evaporated to dryness over a hot water bath. The solid product was dried at 120°C for 12 hours, pulverized to a size of 2-4 mm (9 to 5 mesh), and calcined at 500°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting cata­ lyst, monoethanolamine and 3-amino-1-propanol were reacted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 32 Zirconyl nitrate (40.1 g) was dissolved in 300 ml of pure water, and a solution of 44.7 g of triammonium phosphate in 300 ml of pure water was added to the solu­ tion with stirring. The resulting precipitate was filtered and washed with water, and a solution of 12 g of sodium hydroxide in 20 ml of water was added, and they were well kneaded. The mixture was dried at 120°C for 12 hours, pulverized to a size of 2 to 4 mm (9 to 5 mesh), and calcined at 1000°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and 2-amino-1-butanol were reacted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 33 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 32 except that 23.0 g of barium oxide was used instead of sodium hydroxide. Using the resulting cata­ lyst, monoethanolamine and 5-amino-1-pentanol were re­ acted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 34 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 21 except that 19.9 g of niobium oxide, 12.0 g of titanium dioxide and 0.21 g of cuprous oxide were used instead of antimony trioxide, 8.4 g of potassium hydroxide was used instead of sodium hydroxide, and the pre-calci­ nation at 600°C was carried out for 24 hours. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 35 Phosphotungstic acid nonacosahydrate (170.1 g) was dissolved in 200 ml of water, and a solution of 29.2 g of cesium nitrate in 200 ml of water was added. The resulting precipitate was filtered and washed with water and well kneaded with 0.318 g of sodium carbonate. The mixture was dried at 120°C for 12 hours, pulverized to a size of 2 to 4 mm (9 to 5 mesh), and calcined at 500°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 36 Yttrium oxide (30.5 g), 2.1 g of manganese oxide, 39.6 g of ammonium hydrogen phosphate and 17.5 g of cesium nitrate were mixed in the form of a powder, and well kneaded with a small amount of water. The mixture was molded into pellets, 3 mm both in diameter and length. The pellets were dried at 120°C for 12 hours in air, and calcined at 800°C for 24 hours to prepare a cata­ lyst. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine as reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 37 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 21 except that 49.2 g of cerous oxide was used instead of antimony trioxide. Using the resulting cata­ lyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 38 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 21 except that 79.2 g of thorium oxide was used instead of antimony trioxide. Using the resulting cata­ lyst, monoethanolamine and isopropanolamine were reacted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 39 Lanthanum nitrate hexahydrate (130.3 g) was dissolved in 300 ml of pure water, and a solution of 44.7 g of triammonium phosphate in 300 ml of pure water was added to the solution with stirring. The resulting precipitate was filtered and washed with water, and a solution of 22.5 g of cesium hydroxide in 20 ml of water was added. The were well kneaded, and dried at 120°C for 12 hours. The resulting solid was pulverized to a size of 2 to 4 mm (9 to 5 mesh), and calcined at 800°C for 2 hours. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine and 2-amino-1-butanol were reacted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 40 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 39 except that 117.3 g of cerium nitrate hexa­ hydrate and 6.69 g of europium chloride were used instead of lanthanum nitrate and 8.4 g of potassium hydroxide and 9.5 g of barium hydroxide octahydrate were used instead of cesium hydroxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine, 3-amino-1-propanol and 5-amino-1-­ pentanol were reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. EXAMPLE 41 A catalyst was prepared in the same way as in Example 21 except that 24.6 g of cerous oxide and 39.6 g of thorium oxide were used instead of antimony trioxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction con­ ditions and the results are shown in Table 1b. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1 A silicon carbide carrier (60 ml) was added to 100 g of a 30% by weight aqueous solution of ortho-phosphoric acid, and the mixture was evaporated to dryness over a hot water bath and dried at 120°C for 12 hours. The resulting solid was calcined at 450°C for 2 hours to prepare a catalyst. Using the resulting cata­ lyst, monoethanolamine and 2-amino-1-butanol were reacted respectively by the same method as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 2. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2 Silicon carbide having a particle diameter of 5 mm (40 g) was immersed in 65.2 g of an aqueous solution of ammonium meta-tungstate (50% by weight as W0₃), and evaporated over a hot water bath. The product was dried at 150°C for 1 hour in air, and calcined at 715°C in air for 4 hours to prepare a catalyst precursor. The precursor was immersed in 50 ml of a 10% colloidal solu­ tion of silicon dioxide, and evaporated to dryness over a hot water bath. The product was dried at 150°C for 1 hour in air, and subsequently calcined at 715°C for 4 hours to give a supported catalyst (W 1.0 Si 0.5 O 4.1 in atomic ratio) containing 25.4% by weight of tungsten oxide and 3.3% by weight of silicon dioxide. Using the resulting catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted as in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 2. This catalyst was prepared in accordance with Example 4 of U. S. Patent No. 4,301,036. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3 Niobium pentachloride (5.0 g) was completely dissolved in 50 ml of water at 60°C. Aqueous ammonia was added to adjust the pH of the solution to 7.0. The solution was filtered, and washed with water. The re­ sulting solid was dissolved in 80 ml of a 10% by weight aqueous solution of oxalic acid. Furthermore, 0.2 g of barium hydroxide octahydrate was added. Silicon carbide (60 ml) was immersed in the solution, and the mixture was evaporated to dryness at 80°C. The resulting product was calcined at 500°C in air for 3 hours to give a supported catalyst containing 3.7% by weight of niobium pentoxide and 0.5% by weight of barium oxide (Nb 1.0 Ba 0.1 O 2.6 by atomic ratio). Using this catalyst, monoethanolamine was reacted under the reaction conditions described in Example 1. The reaction conditions and the results are shown in Table 2. This catalyst was prepared in accordance with Example 3 of U. S. Patent No. 4,477,591.

Claims: 1. A process for producing a cyclic amine of the formula wherein R and R′ independently represent hydrogen, methyl or ethyl and n is an integer of 2 to 5 which comprises the vapor phase intramolecular dehydration reaction of an alkanolamine of the formula wherein R, R′ and n are as herein defined in the presence of, as catalyst, an oxide composition of the formula X a P b Y c O d wherein X is at least one element selected from elements of Group IIIA, elements of Group IVA, elements of Group VA, transition metal elements of Groups I to VIII, Lanthanoid elements and Actinoid elements in the periodic table, P is phosphorus, Y is at least one element selected from alkali metal elements and alkaline earth metal elements, O is oxygen, the suffixes a, b, c and d are the atomic ratios of the elements X, P, Y and O respectively, and when a=1, b=0.01-6 and c=0-3, and d is a value determined by a, b and c and the state of bonding of the constituent elements. 2. A process according to claim 1 wherein c is 0, and X is at least one element selected from elements of Group IIIA, elements of Group IVA and elements of Group VA. 3. A process according to claim 1 wherein c is 0, and X is at least one transition metal element of Groups I to VIII. 4. A process according to claim 1 wherein c is 0, and X is at least one Lanthanoid or Actinoid element. 5. A process according to claim 1 wherein c is 0.001-­ 3, and X is at least one element selected from elements of Group IIIA, elements of Group IVA and elements of Group VA. 6. A process according to claim 1 wherein c is 0.001-­ 3, and X is at least one transition metal element of Group I to VIII. 7. A process according to claim 1 wherein c is 0.001 - 3, and X is at least one Lanthanoid or Actinoid element.

Inventors: ARIYOSHI, KIMIO, SHIMASAKI, YUUJI, TUNEKI, HIDEAKI, UESHIMA, MICHIO
Applicants: NIPPON SHOKUBAI KAGAKU KOGYO CO., LTD
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B01J27
IPC codes: B01J27, C07D295, C07D203, C07D205, C07D211