PROCESS OF PREPARING 1-METHYL-3,5,7-TRIAZA-1-AZONIATRICYCLODECANE HALIDES

Abstract: A process for preparing 1-methyl-3,5,7-triaza-­ 1-azoniatricyclodeane halides characterised in that an ammonium halide, methylamine, formaldehyde and ammonia are reacted in an aqueous system.

Description: This invention relates to the preparation of organic compounds and more particularly to the preparation of quaternary ammonium salts of hexamethyl­ enetetramine which are useful as microbicides. These organic quaternary ammonium salts are more specifically designated as 1-methyl-3,5,7-­ triaza-1-azoniatricyclodecane fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide which have the formula (I) wherein X is fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide. Friedrich et al. (Ber. 54B, 1531-42, 1921) have reported the preparation of such compounds, specifically 1-methyl-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniatricyclodecane chloride, by refluxing a mixture of formaldehyde, ammonium hydroxide and ammonium chloride for 7 hours. As shown in Comparative Example 1, however, the reaction time for this reaction is unusually long and the yields of the desired product are disadvantageously low. It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved process for the preparation of the quaternary ammonium compounds of formula (I) and especially an economical process for their preparation as aqueous solutions. We have now found that the compounds of formula (I) may be prepared more efficiently by reacting an ammonium halide of formula NH₄X (wherein X is as defined above) with methylamine, formaldehyde and ammonia in an aqueous medium. Preferably, an aqueous reaction medium of the ammonium halide, methylamine and formaldehyde is first prepared, followed by addition of sufficient ammonia to bring the pH of the final reaction medium to from about 6 to 8. The quaternary ammonium salts of formula (I) are thus prepared in accordance with the present invention by reacting an ammonium halide, preferably ammonium chloride, ammonium bromide or ammonium iodide, with methylamine, formaldehyde and ammonia in an aqueous system. All of these starting materials for the process of the present invention are readily available commercial products. In the reaction of the present invention, each mole of ammonium halide is preferably reacted with about 0.75 to 1.25 moles of methylamine as a source of an N-methyl group, 5.75 to 6.25 moles of formaldehyde and 1.75, more preferably 2, or more moles, of ammonia. Most preferably, from 2 to 2.4 moles of ammonia per mole of ammonium halide are used in the reaction. The process of the present invention is preferably conducted at a temperature of from about 40 to 70°C. More preferably, the process is conducted in the range from about 45 to 50°C. The process of the present invention is preferably conducted by forming an aqueous reaction medium by treating formaldehyde with a mixture of ammonium halide and methylamine while keeping the temperature around about 45°C. Ammonia is then preferably added to the reaction medium, the temperature of which is preferably kept below 50°C. The amount of ammonia added is preferably 1.75, more preferably 2, or more moles per mole of ammonium halide to bring the pH of the final reaction medium, preferably an aqueous solution, within the range of from about 6 to 8. The reaction is conducted for a time sufficient to generate the required yield of quaternary ammonium salt of formula (I). Preferably, the reaction is conducted for about 2 hours to 6 hours, more preferably for about 2 hours. The following examples illustrate the invention, but do not serve as limitations thereon. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 1-methyl-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniatricyclo­ decane chloride A 250 ml, three-neck round-bottom flask equipped with a reflux condenser, a mechanical stirrer and a thermometer was charged with 22 g (0.410 moles) of ammonium chloride and 129 g (1.59 moles) of 37% aqueous formaldehyde. To the above well-agitated mixture were added 40 g (0.286 moles) of 25% aqueous ammonium hydroxide. After completing the addition of ammonium hydroxide, the solution was heated under reflux for 7 hours. The resulting water-­ clear solution was analyzed by HPLC. The solution contained 5.6% (24.7% yield) by weight of the 1-­ methyl-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniatricyclodecane chloride. EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of 1-methyl-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniatricyclo­ decane chloride A 2.0 litre, three-neck flask equipped with a reflux condenser, a mechanical stirrer, a thermometer and a dropping funnel was charged with 67.0 g (1.25 moles) of ammonium chloride and 78.0 g (1.25 moles) of 50% aqueous methylamine. To the above well-agitated mixture were slowly added 608.0 g (7.5 moles) of 37% aqueous formaldehyde, while maintaining the temperature between 45° and 50°C. After completing this addition and while continuing vigorous agitation, 175.0 g (3 moles) of 29% aqueous ammonia were introduced at such a rate as to maintain the temperature between 45° and 50°C. Stirring was continued for an additional 2 hours while the temperature fell gradually to ambient. The resulting water-clear solution was analysed by HPLC. This solution contained 23% (89% yield) by weight of the 1-methyl-3,5,7-triaza-­ 1-azoniatricyclodecane chloride. EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of 1-methyl-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniatricyclo­ decane bromide A 2.0 litre, three-neck flask equipped with a reflux condenser, a mechanical stirrer, a thermometer and a dropping funnel was charged with 98.0 g (1.25 moles) of ammonium bromide and 78.0 g (1.25 moles) of 50% aqueous methylamine. To the above well-agitated mixture were slowly added 608.0 g (7.5 moles) of 37% aqueous formaldehyde, while maintaining the temperature between 45° and 50°C. After completing the addition and while continuing vigorous agitation, 175.0 g (3 moles) of 29% aqueous ammonia were introduced at such a rate as to maintain the temperature between 45° and 50°C. Stirring was continued for an additional 2 hours while the temperature fell gradually to ambient. The resulting water-clear solution was analysed by HPLC. This solution contained 24.7% (83% yield) by weight of the 1-methyl-3,5,7-triaza-­ 1-azoniatricyclodecane bromide. EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of 1-methyl-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniatricyclo­ decane iodide A 250 ml, three-neck round-bottom flask equipped with a reflux condenser, a mechanical stirrer, a thermometer and a dropping funnel was charged with 36.3 g (0.250 moles) of ammonium iodide and 15.6 g (0.250 moles) of 50% aqueous methylamine. To the above well-agitated mixture were slowly added 121.6 g (1.5 moles) of 37% aqueous formaldehyde, while maintaining the temperature between 45° and 50°C. After completing the addition and while continuing vigorous agitation, 30.4 g (0.500 moles) of 29% aqueous ammonia were introduced at such a rate as to maintain the temperature between 45° and 50°C. Stirring was continued for an additional 2 hours while the temperature fell gradually to ambient. The resulting water-clear solution was analysed by HPLC. This solution contained 29.0% (86% yield) by weight of the 1-methyl-3,5,7-triaza-­ 1-azoniatricyclodecane iodide.

Claims: 1. A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula (I): (wherein X is a fluoride, chloride, bromide or iodide anion) characterised in that an ammonium halide of formula NH₄X (wherein X is as defined above) is reacted with methylamine, formaldehyde and ammonia in an aqueous medium. 2. A process according to claim 1 wherein each mole of ammonium halide is reacted with from 0.75 to 1.25 moles of methylamine, from 5.75 to 6.25 moles of formaldehyde and 1.75 or more moles of ammonia. 3. A process according to claim 2 wherein each mole of ammonium halide is reacted with from 2 to 2.4 moles of ammonia. 4. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the temperature is maintained at about 45-50°C. 5. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the reaction is conducted for from about two to six hours. 6. A process claim 1 according to any preceding claim wherein an ammonium halide is used in which X is chloride, bromide or iodide. 7. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the reaction is conducted by forming an aqueous reaction medium of the ammonium halide, methylamine and formaldehyde, followed by addition of ammonia to the said reaction medium in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH of the reaction medium to from about 6 to 8. 8. A process according to claim 7 wherein the reaction medium is an aqueous solution.

Inventors: RAYUDU, SREEDHAR RAO
Applicants: BUCKMAN LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: C07D487
IPC codes: C07D487