A process for producing substituted amines and a method for purifying synthetic intermediates therefor

Abstract: A process for producing a substituted amine of formula (IV) : R²NHOR³ (IV) wherein R² is hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group or a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon group, and R³ is a hydrocarbon group or a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon group, which process comprises: (a) reacting a hydroxamic acid of formula (II): R¹CONHOH (II) wherein R¹ is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group, in the presence of a base with a reagent capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group or a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon group onto an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom to form a substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III): wherein R¹, R² and R³ are as defined above, and (b) hydrolyzing the substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III) in the presence of a base or an acid to produce a substituted amine of formula (IV): R²NHOR³ (IV) wherein R² and R³ are as defined above.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process for producing substituted amines useful as synthetic intermediates for medicine and agricultural chemicals as well as to a method for purifying synthetic intermediates therefor. 2. Description of the Prior Art Generally, a process for producing alkoxyalkylamines from hydroxylamine or a salt thereof involves reaction of a chloroformate with a hydroxylamine salt in the presence of sodium hydroxide and subsequent alkylation with a dialkyl sulfate in the presence of sodium hydroxide, followed by hydrolysis. For example, a process for producing methoxymethylamine is known as described in Org. Prep. Proced., 19 , 75 (1987). In this prior art process, hydroxylamine hydrochloride is allowed to react with ethyl chloroformate in an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide to form ethyl hydroxycarbamate which is then dimethylated with dimethyl sulfate in an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, followed by hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid, whereby methoxymethylamine hydrochloride is obtained in 70 % yield. DE3245503 discloses a process for producing methoxymethylamine via butyl N,O-dimethylcarbamate as an intermediate. According to this prior art process, the starting material hydroxylamine sulfate is allowed to react with butyl chloroformate in the presence of sodium hydroxide to form butyl hydroxycarbamate which is then subjected to the steps of extraction with dichloromethane and of drying, and after the solvent is distilled off, said butyl hydroxycarbamate is dimethylated with dimethyl sulfate in an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, followed by hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid, whereby methoxymethylamine hydrochloride is obtained in 65 % yield. With respect to the synthesis of hydroxamic acids, conventional processes involve reaction of carboxylates with hydroxylamine or a salt thereof, or reaction of acid halides or acid anhydrides with hydroxylamine or a salt thereof (EP306936, An. Quim., 72 , 683 (1976), ZL. Prikl. khim., 45 , 1895 (1972), "Kagaku Daijiten" (Encyclopedic Dictionary of Chemistry) published by Tokyo Kagaku Dojin K. K.). However, there is no suggestion of conversion of the resulting hydroxamic acids into alkoxyalkylamines. The prior art processes with chloroformates as the starting material have the problem that the yield of the product, alkoxyalkylamines, is too low for applicability in industry. With respect to the production of alkoxyamines, the following 3 processes are known: (1) A process in which benzaldoxime obtained by reacting benzaldehyde with hydroxylamine is O-alkylated with an alkylating agent and then hydrolyzed (J. Org. Chem., 32 , 261 (1967)); (2) A process in which hydroxylamine disulfonate is O-alkylated with an alkylating agent and then hydrolyzed (Berichte, 53 , 1477 (1920)); and (3) A process in which hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid is methoxylated with sodium methoxide (EU Pat. 0341693). Of these 3 processes already reported, the process (1) has the disadvantage of the low yield of the product because of the occurrence of N-alkylation of benzaldoxime that proceeds competitively with O-alkylation. The process (2) has the disadvantage that a large amount of inorganic waste is discharged as a source of environmental pollution. The process (3) has the disadvantage that the production cost is raised by the use of expensive hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid. Conventional processes for producing N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine involve conversion of hydroxylamine into hydroxycarbamate and subsequent dimethylation thereof, followed by decarboalkoxylation (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 56757/1994) or reaction of nitrite, bisulfite and SO 2 to form sulfonimide from which N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine is obtained (FR Patent Publication No. 1377470 A (Laid Open)). Of these processes, the process described in FR Patent Publication No. 1377470 A is disadvantageous as an industrial process because of the discharge of a large amount of waste liquid, while the process described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 56757/1994 cannot be said an effective process because of the environmental pollution and high production costs resulting from the step of extracting an intermediate, N,O-dimethylhydroxycarbamate, with an organic solvent such as halogenated hydrocarbons. Furthermore, since this step brings about simultaneous extraction of O-methylhydroxycarbamate formed as by-product during the formation of N,O-dimethylhydroxycarbamate, there results the contamination of N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine with O-methylhydroxylamine after deprotection. The close boiling points of the two compounds (42.3°C for N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine and 48.1°C for O-methylhydroxylamine) make their purification through distillation very difficult, and therefore their separation requires multistage distillation columns. U.S. Patent No. 3230260 discloses a method for purifying a final product N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine, in which formaldehyde is added at pH 7 or less to O-methylhydroxylamine contained in N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine to convert it into gaseous O-methylformaldehydeoxime so that O-methylhydroxylamine can be removed. However, the removal of O-methylhydroxylamine in the method described in U.S. Patent No. 3230260 must undergo the complicated steps of extracting with an organic solvent such as halogenated hydrocarbons etc. an intermediate N,O-dimethylhydroxamic acid and by-products including O-methylhydroxamic acid from an aqueous solution containing inorganic salts etc., concentrating the extraction solvent, deprotecting the products, and adding formaldehyde to convert O-methylhydroxylamine into gaseous O-methylformaldehydeoxime which is then separated. Furthermore, the halogenated hydrocarbon solvent for extraction and formaldehyde for conversion are highly toxic, and in particular, formaldehyde is extremely difficult to handle with its maximum permissible concentration being as low as 2 ppm as specified in the law. Furthermore, the high water-solublity of formaldehyde makes recovery of unreacted formaldehyde difficult. In addition, the recovery of O-methylformaldehydeoxime formed requires facilities of high cooling efficiency because of its low boiling point (-12°C ), and therefore the facilities and the complicated procedures cost much. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The first object of the invention is to provide a process for producing a substituted amine in high yield at low costs with less environmental pollution. To accomplish this object, the present inventors studied a method of synthesizing a substituted amine, particularly via a hydroxamic acid. As a result, they arrived at a method of selectively monosubstituting or disubstituting the hydroxamic acid with a reaction reagent (e.g. an alkylating agent) capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group or a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon group into the oxygen atom and/or the nitrogen atom of the hydroxamic acid, and they further found that hydrolysis of the resulting substituted hydroxamic acid in the presence of a base or an acid can yield the desired substituted amine in high yield. The second object of the invention is to provide N,O-disubstituted hydroxylamine and/or O-substituted hydroxylamine as final product by separating an intermediate N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid (e.g. N,O-dimethylhydroxamic acid) from another intermediate O-substituted hydroxamic acid (e.g. O-methylhydroxamic acid) in an easier and safer manner than the conventional method. To accomplish this object, the present inventors have, as a result of their eager study of the separation of the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid from the O-substituted hydroxamic acid, found that the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid possess an azeotropic point with water contained in the reaction system, and also that the unreacted reaction reagents and O-substituted hydroxamic acid present in the reaction system are not contained in the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid obtained by direct distillation as an azeotropic distillate. That is, the present invention encompasses: (1) A process for producing a substituted amine of general formula (IV): R 2 NHOR 3 wherein R 2 is hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group, and R 3 is a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group, which process comprises: (a) reacting a hydroxamic acid of formula (II): R 1 CONHOH wherein R 1 is hydrogen or a C 1-5 alkyl group, in the presence of a base with a reagent capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group onto an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom to form a substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III): wherein R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined above; and (b) hydrolysing the substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III) in the presence of a base to produce a substituted amine of formula (IV): R 2 NHOR 3 wherein R 2 and R 3 are as defined above. (2) A process for producing a substituted amine according to item (1), comprising reacting hydroxylamine or a salt thereof in the presence of a base with an ester of formula (I): R 1 COOR 4 wherein R 1 is hydrogen or a C 1-5 alkyl group and R 4 is a hydrocarbon group, to produce a reaction mixture containing the hydroxamic acid of formula (II) and using the reaction mixture in step (a) without separating the hydroxamic acid of formula (II) from the reaction mixture. (3) A process for producing a substituted amine according to item (1) or item (2), wherein the reagent capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group onto an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom is an alkylating agent, the substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III) is a N,O-dialkylhydroxamic acid and/or an O-alkylhydroxamic acid, and the substituted amine of formula (IV) is an alkoxyalkylamine and/or an alkoxyamine. (4) A process for producing a substituted amine according to item (1) or item (2), wherein the substituted hydroxamic acid is a N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-a): wherein R 1 is hydrogen or a C 1-5 alkyl group, R 3 is a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group and the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid is hydrolyzed in the presence of a base to produce a disubstituted amine of formula (IV-a): R 3 NHOR 3 wherein R 3 is as defined above. (5) A process for producing a substituted amine according to item (4), wherein the reagent capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group onto an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom is an alkylating agent, the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-a) is a N,O-dialkylhydroxamic acid, and the disubstituted amine of formula (IV-a) obtained by hydrolysis thereof is an alkoxyalkylamine. (6) A process for producing a substituted amine according to item (1) or item (2), wherein the substituted hydroxamic acid is an O-substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-b): R 1 CONHOR 3 wherein R 1 is hydrogen or a C 1-5 alkyl group, R 3 is a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group, and the O-substituted hydroxamic acid is hydrolysed in the presence of a base to produce a monosubstituted amine of formula (IV-b): H 2 NOR 3 wherein R 3 is as defined above. (7) A process for producing a substituted amine according to item 6, wherein the reagent capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group onto an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom is an alkylating agent, the O-substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-b) is an O-alkylhydroxamic acid, and the monosubstituted amine of formula (IV-b) obtained by hydrolysis thereof is an alkoxyamine. (8) A process for producing a substituted amine according to item 2, comprising in step (a) reacting the hydroxamic acid-containing reaction mixture with an alkylating agent, wherein the molar ratio of the alkylating agent to the hydroxylamine or a salt thereof is from 2 to 4 which, in the case of the salt, is calculated from the number of moles of hydroxylamine contained in the salt, to produce a N,O-dialkylhydroxamic acid of formula (III-a'): wherein R 1 is as defined above, and R 3' is an alkyl group, and in step (b) hydrolyzing the product in the presence of a base to produce an alkoxyalkylamine of formula (IV-a'): R 3' NHOR 3' wherein R 3 is as defined above. (9) A process for producing a substituted amine according to item 2, comprising in step (a) reacting the hydroxamic acid-containing reaction mixture with an alkylating agent, wherein the molar ratio of the alkylating agent to the hydroxylamine or a salt thereof is from 0.5 to 1.5 which, in the case of the salt, is calculated from the number of moles of hydroxylamine contained in the salt, to produce an O-alkylhydroxamic acid of formula (III-b'): R 1 CONHOR 3' wherein R 1 is defined as above, and R 3' is an alkyl group, and in step (b) hydrolyzing the product to produce an alkoxyalkylamine of formula (IV-b'): H 2 NOR 3' wherein R 3' is defined as above. (10) A process for producing a substituted amine according to any one of the preceding items, wherein a mixture containing a substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III) produced in step (b) is distilled with water to separate a N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-a): wherein R 1 and R 3 are as defined above, as an azeotropic distillate with water from the mixture, and the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid is hydrolysed in the presence of a base to produce a disubstituted amine of formula (IV-a): R 3 NHOR 3 wherein R 3 is as defined above. (11) A process for producing a substituted amine according to any one of items 1 to 9 wherein a mixture containing a substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III) produced in step (b) is distilled with water to separate a N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-a): wherein R 1 and R 3 are as defined above, as an azeotropic distillate with water from the mixture, and a purified O-substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-b): R 1 CONHOR 3 wherein R 1 and R 3 are as defined above, is hydrolysed in the presence of a base to produce a monosubstituted amine of formula (IV-b): H 2 NOR 3 wherein R 3 is as defined above. Examples of C 1 -C 3 alkyl groups represented by R 1 include methyl group, ethyl group, n-propyl group, isopropyl group, n-butyl group, isobutyl group, sec-butyl group, tert-butyl group and n-pentyl group. Examples of hydrocarbons represented by R 2 , R 3 or R 4 in the formulae (I), (II), (III) and (IV) are C 1 -C 5 alkyl groups, such as methyl group, ethyl group, n-propyl group, isopropyl group, n-butyl group, isobutyl group, sec-butyl group, tert-butyl group, n-pentyl group, etc.; C 2 -C 5 alkenyl groups, such as allyl group etc.; C 3 -C 7 cycloalkyl groups, such as cyclopropyl group, cyclobutyl group, cyclopentyl group, cyclohexyl group, cycloheptyl group, etc.; aryl groups, such as phenyl group, tolyl group, xylyl group, etc.; aralkyl groups, such as benzyl group, phenethyl group, etc.; and aryl-C 2 -C 5 -alkenyl groups, such as 3-phenyl-2-propenyl group etc. Examples of other groups represented by R 2 or R 1 in the formulae (III) and (IV) are halogenated hydrocarbons, such as fluoromethyl group, chloromethyl group, 3-chloroallyl group, 4-chlorobenzyl group, etc.; carbonylated alkyl groups, such as carboxymethyl group, ethoxycarbonylmethyl group, 1-carboxy-1-methylethyl group, etc.; and cyanoalkyl groups, such as cyanomethyl group, cyanoethyl group, etc. Although the hydroxamic acid of the above formula (II) used in the present invention can be produced by reacting a carboxylate with hydroxylamine or a salt thereof or by reacting an acid halide or acid anhydride with hydroxylamine or a salt thereof, the reaction of an ester of the above formula (I) with hydroxylamine or a salt thereof in the presence of a base is preferred for production of hydroxamic acid (II) in consideration of its yield. Hydroxylamine or a salt thereof used in the invention includes e.g. hydroxylamine, hydroxylamine sulfate, hydroxylamine hydrochloride and hydroxylamine oxalate, among which hydroxylamine sulfate and hydroxylamine hydrochloride are particularly preferable because of their stability and reasonable price. Hydroxylamine or a salt thereof may be in solution including an aqueous solution, a methanol solution, etc. The ester represented by the above formula (I) includes e.g. methyl formate, ethyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, phenyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, methyl butyrate, ethyl butyrate, methyl isovalerate, ethyl isovalerate, methyl benzoate and ethyl benzoate, among which methyl acetate and ethyl acetate are preferable because of their easy handling and reasonable price. The base used for production of hydroxamic acids includes e.g. alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxides, typically, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide and barium hydroxide; alkali metal bicarbonates, typically sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate; alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonates, typically, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and barium carbonate; aluminates, typically sodium aluminate and potassium aluminate; alkoxides, such as sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium t-butoxide, etc., and these bases may be used singly or in combination. Sodium hydroxide is a particularly preferable base because of its reasonable price. Although these bases are preferably used in aqueous solution, they may be used as solid or as a solution in an organic solvent including alcohols etc. The reaction solvent used for production of hydroxamic acids is preferably water, but it may be an inert organic solvent, for example, ethers such as diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran, or aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, etc., and these solvents may be used singly or in combination, or in a two-layer system. The molar ratio of the ester (I) to hydroxylamine or a salt thereof is usually 0.2 to 10, preferably 0.5 to 2, more preferably 0.8 to 1.3. Although the amount of the base used for production of hydroxamic acids is not particularly limited, it is preferably used in such an amount that the reaction solution can be controlled within the pH range described below, and the molar ratio of the base to hydroxylamine or a salt thereof is usually 0.1 to 10, preferably 0.5 to 3. The starting materials may be added in any order, but it is preferred that a reactor is charged first with hydroxylamine or a salt thereof and the reaction solvent, and then with the ester (I) with which a base is added successively or simultaneously so that the reaction temperature and the pH of the reaction solution can be controlled within predetermined ranges. When hydroxylamine sulfate or hydrochloride is used as starting materials, a base is preferably added to neutralize said salt before introduction of the ester (I). The reaction temperature adopted for production of hydroxamic acids is usually -20 or 80°C, preferably -10 to 40°C, more preferably 0 to 25 °C . For this reaction, the pH range is usually pH 7 to 14, preferably pH 9 to 14, more preferably pH 10 to 13. The hydroxamic acid (II) thus obtained may be isolated or may be subjected to further reaction in situ without isolation with a reaction reagent capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group or a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon group into an oxygen atom/or a nitrogen atom. In consideration of the post-treatment and costs for the subsequent extraction, the hydroxamic acid is preferably subjected to the subsequent reaction in situ without subjecting it to an isolation step. If the isolated hydroxamic acid (II) is to be used, the same base and reaction solvent as in the production of the hydroxamic acid can be used for reaction with the reaction eagent capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group, a halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyano alkyl group onto an oxygen atom/or a nitrogen atom. The reaction reagent capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group a halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyano alkyl group onto an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom includes alkylating agents, such as dialkyl sulfates, typically dimethyl sulfate and diethyl sulfate; hydrocarbon chlorides, typically, methyl chloride, fluorochloromethane, bromochloromethane, ethyl chloride, propyl chloride, isopropyl chloride, allyl chloride, 1,3-dichloropropen, 4-chlorobenzyl chloride and butyl chloride; hydrocarbon bromides, typically, methyl bromide, ethyl bromide, propyl bromide, isopropyl bromide, allyl bromide and butyl bromide; hydrocarbon iodides, typically, methyl iodide, ethyl iodide, propyl iodide, isopropyl iodide, allyl iodide and butyl iodide, as well as halogenated carbonyl compounds, typically, 1-chloroacetic acid, ethyl 1-chloroacetate, ethyl 1-bromoacetate and 2-chloroisobutyric acid, and halogenated nitriles, typically chloroacetonitrile and 3-bromopropionitrile. If the hydroxamic acid (II) is to be subjected without isolation to further reaction with the reaction reagents (e.g. an alkylating agent) for preparation of N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid as desired intermediate, such as N,O-dialkylhydroxamic acid etc., the molar ratio of the reaction reagents (including an alkylating agent etc.) to hydroxylamine or a salt thereof is usually 2 or more, preferably 2 to 4, more preferably 2 to 2.5 (which, in the case of the salt, is calculated not from the number of moles of the salt itself but from the number of moles of hydroxylamine contained in said salt; Hereinafter the same). If the desired intermediate is an O-substituted hydroxamic acid such as O-alkylhydroxamic acid etc., the molar ratio of the reaction reagents (including an alkylating agent etc.) to hydroxylamine or a salt thereof is usually 0.5 to 1.5, preferably 0.9 to 1.2. Although the amount of the base used for reaction of the hydroxamic acid (II) with the reaction reagents including an alkylating agent is not particularly limited, it is preferably used in such an amount that the reaction solution can be controlled within the pH range described below. If the hydroxamic acid (II) is subjected to further reaction without isolation, the molar ratio of the base to hydroxylamine or a salt thereof is usually 0.1 to 10, preferably 0.5 to 3. The reaction reagents e.g. an alkylating agent etc. and the base may be added in any order, but the base is preferably introduced simultaneously with the reaction reagents to control the reaction temperature and the pH of the reaction solution within predetermined ranges. In this step, the reaction temperature is usually -20 to 80°C, preferably -10 to 40°C, more preferably 0 to 25 °C and the pH range of the reaction solution is usually pH 7 to 14, preferably pH 9 to 14, more preferably pH 10 to 14. Where the reaction reagents including an alkylating agent etc. turn gaseous under the reaction conditions, the reaction must be carried out under pressure. The O-substituted hydroxamic acid (III-b) can be formed as by-product where the desired intermediate is the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid (III-a), and the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid (III-a) can be formed as by-product where the desired intermediate is the O-substituted hydroxamic acid (III-b). However, the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid (III-a) possesses an azeotropic point with water and is easy to separate from the aqueous reaction solution with aromatic hydrocarbons as extraction solvent, such as toluene, xylene, etc., whereas the O-substituted hydroxamic acid (III-b) is difficult to extract from the aqueous reaction solution with said aromatic hydrocarbons and also hard to distill azeotropically with water. Hence, said two hydroxamic acids can be separated almost completely from each other by extraction of the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid (III-a) with said aromatic hydrocarbons, or by azeotropic distillation with water under reduced pressure. Where the desired intermediate is the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid (III-a), it is usually separated from the reaction system by distillation etc. and then subjected to hydrolysis. Where the desired intermediate is the O-substituted hydroxamic acid (III-b), it may be isolated or may be subjected to the subsequent step of hydrolysis in situ without isolation. For the elimination of post-treatment and the reduction in costs for extraction solvent, the intermediate is preferably subjected to hydrolysis in situ without isolation. In the case of extraction, the solvent used includes alcohols such as isopropanol, isobutanol, etc., ethers such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, etc., halogenated hydrocarbons such as chloroform, dichloromethane, dichloroethane, etc., and nitriles such as acetonitrile etc., among which isopropanol, dichloromethane and dichloroethane are preferably used for their extraction efficiency and reasonable costs. The base used for hydrolysis of substituted hydroxamic acid (III) includes hydroxides, carbonates, etc., of alkali metals such as lithium, sodium, potassium, etc.; hydroxides, carbonates, etc., of alkaline earth metals such as magnesium, calcium, barium, etc.; organic bases such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine (4-DMAP), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0] -7-undecene (DBU), etc.; weakly basic ion exchange resins such as Amberlite-93® Amberlist-21® Amberlist-93® etc., among which alkali metal hydroxides and carbonates such as those of lithium, sodium and potassium are preferably used. In this manner, the starting material hydroxylamine or a salt thereof is converted into the hydroxamic acid (II) and then the substituted hydroxamic acid (III). Subsequent alkali or acid hydrolysis is carried out in which the molar ratio of a base to hydroxylamine or a salt thereof is usually 0.1 to 10, preferably 0.5 to 5. The solvent used for hydrolysis may be an aqueous solution, usually water solely, or a mixed solvent containing water, i.e., consisting of water and a water-soluble organic solvent including alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, etc., and cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, etc. The amount of water used is usually 0.1 to 50 parts, preferably 0.1 to 20 parts, relative to 1 part of the substituted hydroxamic acid (III) by weight. The amount of organic solvent to be mixed with water is usually 0.1 to 10 parts relative to 1 part of water by weight. Hydrolysis is carried out usually for 1 to 20 hours in the presence of a base at a temperature of 25 to 120°C. In alkali hydrolysis, the substituted amine (IV) is distilled away as product as the reaction proceeds, so the product can be easily recovered by cooling. The substituted amine (IV) thus obtained is used preferably as an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid or as sulfate or hydrochloride for easier handling. The process of the invention permits substituted amines such as alkoxyalkylamine, alkoxyamine, etc., which were produced in low yield in the conventional process, to be produced in higher yield at lower costs with less environmental pollution. The process of the present invention preferably involves the production of N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid and/or O-substituted hydroxamic acid, comprising separation of N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid by azeotropic distillation with water from a solution, in the presence of an amount of water necessary for azeotropic distillation, usually in the presence of an amount of water necessary to produce an azeotropic distillate of water and N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid, more specifically the amount of water being usually 5 to 20 parts or more, preferably 11 to 15 parts relative to 1 part of N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid by weight under normal pressure or reduced pressure. For azeotropic distillation, an amount of water (including the water present in the mixture) necessary to constitute an azeotropic mixture is allowed to be present at the time of distillation. Usually, the mixture is a homogeneous system containing organic and inorganic compounds such as alcohols etc., but may be a heterogeneous system containing other organic and inorganic compounds. A distillation apparatus for the azeotropic mixture is the one equipped with distillation columns capable of precision distillation (e.g. Oldershow distillation columns). For example, an apparatus capable of selectively recovering only the azeotropic distillate is preferably used, but a batch or continuous apparatus capable of recovering other compounds simultaneous with the azeotropic distillate can also be used. Distillation may be conducted under normal pressure, applied pressure or reduced pressure, preferably under normal pressure or reduced pressure in the range of 1 to 760 mmHg, more preferably 10 to 250 mmHg. The distillation temperature is the azeotropic point of the product and water under a predetermined pressure, preferably in the range of 20 to 160°C, more preferably 30 to 80°C, but a temperature of higher than the azeotropic point of the product and water under a predetermined pressure may also be adopted. The purification method of the present invention permits the intermediates N,O-dialkylhydroxamic acid and O-alkylhydroxamic acid to be separated from each other more safely and easily than the conventional method, so that N,O-dialkylhydroxylamine and/or O-alkylhydroxylamine can be efficiently produced as final product of high purity. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is described in more detail with reference to the following examples, which however are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Example 1 (1) 8.2 g (95 mmol) of 95 % hydroxylamine sulfate (calculated using the molecular weight of 82.07 for NH 2 OH•(H 2 SO 4 ) 1/2 ; Hereinafter the same) and 25 ml water were introduced into a 200-ml four-necked flask under a nitrogen atmosphere equipped with a pH electrode, a thermometer, an injector and a pipe for receiving a feed pump, and the mixture was dissolved by stirring with a magnetic stirrer. The inside temperature was cooled to 5 °C . Then, 50 % aqueous sodium hydroxide was added dropwise thereto until the reaction solution reached pH 10.5. With the inside temperature kept at 5-10°C and the reaction solution at pH 10.5, 9.5 g of 99.5 % ethyl acetate (108 mmol) and 50 % aqueous sodium hydroxide were simultaneously added thereto for 40 min. After the addition, stirring was continued for 4 hours under the same conditions. (2) Then, while the reaction temperature was kept at 5-10 °C and the reaction solution was kept at pH 12.5, 27.8 g (209 mmol) of 95 % dimethyl sulfate and 50 % aqueous sodium hydroxide were simultaneously added thereto for 1 hour. After the addition, stirring was continued for further 3 hours under the same conditions, and then 22 g of aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate was added thereto and stirred for 30 min. at an elevated temperature of 50°C to effect hydrolysis of an excess amount of dimethyl sulfate. Then, the reaction solution was distilled under normal pressure, to give 43 g liquid containing N,O-dimethylacetohydroxamic acid. Analysis of the liquid by gas chromatography indicated that N,O-dimethylacetohydroxamic acid was formed in 84 % yield. (3) The liquid obtained by distillation was introduced into a three-necked 100-ml flask equipped with a distillation column with a cooling unit and was then heated at 50 °C . 14 g of 50 % aqueous sodium hydroxide was added dropwise thereto for 15 min. for hydrolysis, so that 46 g liquid containing N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine distilled through the distillation column was obtained. Quantitative analysis of the liquid by gas chromatography indicated that N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine was formed in 84 % overall yield. Example 2 The same procedure as in Example 1 was followed except that the synthesis of acetohydroxamic acid in (1) above was conducted at pH 11.5 and the methylation in (2) above was conducted at pH 12.5. As a result, N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine was formed in 81 % yield. Examples 3-8 The same procedure as in Example 1 was followed except that ethyl acetate was replaced by an ester shown in Table 1. The results are also shown in Table 1. Example ester N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine yield (%) 3 ethyl formate 81 4 methyl acetate 83 5 isopropyl acetate 84 6 n-butyl acetate 83 7 phenyl acetate 81 Examples 8 - 10 The same procedure as in Example 1 was followed except that dimethyl sulfate as the alkylating agent was replaced by a reagent shown in Table.2. The results are also shown in Table 2. Example alkylating reagent product yield (%) 8 methyl iodide N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine 78 9 diethyl sulfate N,O-diethylhydroxylamine 81 10 butyl iodide N,O-dibutylhydroxylamine butoxybutylamine 65 Example 11 8.37 g (100 mmol) of 95 %, hydroxylamine sulfate and 28 ml water were introduced into a 200-ml four-necked flask under a nitrogen atmosphere equipped with a pH electrode connected to a pH controller, a pipe for receiving a feed pump controlled by the pH controller, a thermometer and a dropping funnel. The mixture was dissolved by stirring with a magnetic stirrer and the inside temperature was cooled to 5°C. Then, 50 % aqueous sodium hydroxide was added dropwise thereto through the feed pump controlled by the pH controller until the reaction solution reached pH 10.5. With the temperature in the flask kept at 5-10°C and the reaction solution kept at pH 10.5-10.6, 9.79 g (109 mmol) of 99.5 % ethyl acetate was introduced through the dropping funnel for 1 hour simultaneously with the introduction of 50 % aqueous sodium hydroxide through the feed pump controlled by the pH controller. After the addition, the solution was stirred for 4 hours at room temperature while the pH was kept at 10.5-10.6. Then, while the reaction temperature was kept at 5-10°C and the reaction solution at pH 12.5-12.7, 13.97 g (105 mmol) of 95 % dimethyl sulfate and 50 % aqueous sodium hydroxide were simultaneously added thereto for 1.5 hours. After the addition, the solution was stirred for further 3 hours under the same conditions. Quantitative analysis of the reaction solution by high performance liquid chromatography indicated that O-methylacetohydroxamic acid was formed in 90 % yield and N,O-dimethylacetohydroxamic acid in 1 % yield. The reaction solution was adjusted within pH 9-10 with aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate, and N,O-dimethylacetohydroxamic acid as by-product and impurities of low melting point were removed by azeotropic distillation with water under reduced pressure (100 to 120 mmHg). Analysis of the aqueous phase revealed the absence of N,O-dimethylacetohydroxamic acid. 50 % aqueous sodium hydroxide (150 mmol) was added to the aqueous phase and the solution was stirred at 80 °C for 3 hours. Distillation of the reaction mixture gave 3.06 g O-methyl hydroxylamine (65 % yield). Example 12 8.2 g (95 mmol) of 95 % hydroxylamine sulfate (calculated using the molecular weight of 82.07 for NH 2 OH•(H 2 SO 4 ) 1/2 ) and 25 ml water were introduced into a four-necked 200-ml flask under a nitrogen atmosphere equipped with a pH electrode, a thermometer and a pipe for receiving a feed pump. The mixture was dissolved by stirring with a magnetic stirrer, and the inside temperature was cooled to 5°C . Then, 50 % aqueous sodium hydroxide was added dropwise thereto until the reaction solution reached pH 11.5. While the inside temperature was kept at 5-10 °C and the reaction solution was kept at pH 10.5-11.0, 9.5 g of 99.5 % ethyl acetate (108 mmol) and 50 % aqueous sodium hydroxide were simultaneously added thereto for 40 min. After the addition, stirring was continued for 4 hours under the same conditions. Then, while the reaction temperature was kept at 5-10 °C and the reaction solution was kept at pH 12.5-13, 27.8 g (209 mmol) of 95 % dimethyl sulfate and 50 % aqueous sodium hydroxide were simultaneously added thereto for 1 hour. After the addition, stirring was continued for further 3 hours under the same conditions, and then 22 g of aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate was added thereto and stirred at an elevated temperature of 50 °C for 30 min. to effect hydrolysis of an excess amount of dimethyl sulfate and then cooled to room temperature. Quantitative analysis of the reaction solution by gas chromatography indicated that N,O-dimethylacetohydroxamic acid was formed in 85 % yield and O-methylacetohydroxamic acid in 3 % yield. Then, after the flask was provided with 5-stages Oldershow distillation columns, the reaction solution was subjected to distillation under a reduced pressure of 50-80 mmHg, so that a distillate of boiling point of 40 to 50°C was obtained. When about 2/3 of the total volume was distilled, 100 ml water was added thereto. Further distillation brought about finally 153 g of an azeotropic distillate with water containing methanol, ethanol and N,O-dimethylacetohydroxamic acid (5.2 % purity: 81.6 % yield after isolation). No O-methylacetohydroxamic acid was contained as impurity in the azeotropic distillate. Hydrolysis of the azeotropic distillate with a base yielded the final product N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine quantitatively. Example 13 The same reaction and distillation as in Example 12 were carried out except that the by-product, O-methylacetohydroxamic acid, was allowed to coexist before distillation in an amount of approximately 10 % relative to N,O-dimethylacetohydroxamic acid. As a result, 151 g of an azeotropic distillate with water containing methanol and ethanol and N,O-dimethylacetohydroxamic acid (5.5 % purity: 82.5 % yield after isolation) was obtained. No O-methylacetohydroxamic acid was contained as impurity in the azeotropic distillate. Example 14 The same procedure as in Example 12 was followed except that normal pressure was adopted for distillation in place of the reduced pressure of 50 to 80 mmHg. As a result, 160 g of an azeotropic distillate with water containing methanol, ethanol and N,O-dimethylacetohydroxamic acid (5.2 % purity: 80 % yield after isolation) was obtained as a distillate of boiling point of 90 to 105°C. No O-methylhydroxamic acid was contained as impurity in the azeotropic distillate.

Claims: A process for producing a substituted amine of formula (IV): R 2 NHOR 3 wherein R 2 is hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group and R 3 is a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group which process comprises: (a) reacting a hydroxamic acid of formula (II): R 1 CONHOH wherein R 1 is hydrogen or a C 1-5 alkyl group, in the presence of a base with a reagent capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group onto an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom to form a substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III): wherein R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined above; and (b) hydrolysing the substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III) in the presence of a base to produce a substituted amine of formula (IV): R 2 NHOR 3 wherein R 2 and R 3 are as defined above. A process according to claim 1, comprising reacting hydroxylamine or a salt thereof in the presence of a base with an ester of formula (I): R 1 COOR 4 wherein R 1 is hydrogen or a C 1-5 alkyl group and R 4 is a hydrocarbon group, to produce a reaction mixture containing the hydroxamic acid of formula (II) and using the reaction mixture in step (a) without separating the hydroxamic acid of formula (II) from the reaction mixture. A process according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the reagent capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group onto an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom is an alkylating agent, the substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III) is a N,O-dialkylhydroxamic acid and/or an O-alkylhydroxamic acid, and the substituted amine of formula (IV) is an alkoxyalkylamine and/or an alkoxyamine. A process according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the substituted hydroxamic acid is a N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-a): wherein R 1 is hydrogen or a C 1-5 alkyl group, R 3 is a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group and the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid is hydrolysed in the presence of a base to produce a disubstituted amine of formula (IV-a): R 3 NHOR 3 wherein R 3 is as defined above. A process for producing a substituted amine according to claim 4, wherein the reagent capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group onto an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom is an alkylating agent, the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-a) is a N,O-dialkylhydroxamic acid, and the disubstituted amine of formula (IV-a) obtained by hydrolysis thereof is an alkoxyalkylamine. A process according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the substituted hydroxamic acid is an O-substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-b): R 1 CONHOR 3 wherein R 1 is hydrogen or a C 1-5 alkyl group, R 3 is a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group, and the O-substituted hydroxamic acid is hydrolysed in the presence of a base to produce a monosubstituted amine of formula (IV-b): H 2 NOR 3 wherein R 3 is as defined above. A process according to claim 6, wherein the reagent capable of introducing a hydrocarbon group, halogenated hydrocarbon group, carbonylated alkyl group or cyanoalkyl group onto an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom is an alkylating agent, the O-substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-b) is an O-alkylhydroxamic acid, and the monosubstituted amine of formula (IV-b) obtained by hydrolysis thereof is an alkoxyamine. A process according to claim 2 comprising in step (a) reacting the hydroxamic acid-containing reaction mixture with an alkylating agent, wherein the molar ratio of the alkylating agent to the hydroxylamine or a salt thereof is from 2 to 4 which, in the case of the salt, is calculated from the number of moles of hydroxylamine contained in the salt, to produce a N,O-dialkylhydroxamic acid of formula (III-a'): wherein R 1 is as defined above, and R 3' is an alkyl group, and in step (b) hydrolysing the product in the presence of a base to produce an alkoxyalkylamine of formula (IV-a'): R 3' NHOR 3' wherein R 3' is as defined above. A process according to claim 2, comprising in step (a) reacting the hydroxamic acid-containing reaction mixture with an alkylating agent, wherein the molar ratio of the alkylating agent to the hydroxylamine or a salt thereof is from 0.5 to 1.5 which, in the case of the salt, is calculated from the number of moles of hydroxylamine contained in the salt, to produce an O-alkylhydroxamic acid of formula (III-b'): R 1 CONHOR 3' wherein R 1 is defined as above, and R 3' is an alkyl group, and in step (b) hydrolysing the product to produce an alkoxyalkylamine of formula (IV-b'): H 2 NOR 3' wherein R 3' is defined as above. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a mixture containing a substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III) produced in step (b) is distilled with water to separate a N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-a): wherein R 1 and R 3 are as defined above, as an azeotropic distillate with water from the mixture, and the N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid is hydrolysed in the presence of a base to produce a disubstituted amine of formula (IV-a): R 3 NHOR 3 wherein R 3 is as defined above. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein a mixture containing a substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III) produced in step (b) is distilled with water to separate a N,O-disubstituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-a): wherein R 1 and R 3 are as defined above, as an azeotropic distillate with water from the mixture, and a purified O-substituted hydroxamic acid of formula (III-b): R 1 CONHOR 3 wherein R 1 and R 3 are as defined above is hydrolysed in the presence of a base to produce a monosubstituted amine of formula (IV-b): H 2 NOR 3 wherein R 3 is as defined above.

Inventors: ISHITOKU TAKESHI, KIHARA NORIAKI, MOTOYAMA YOSHIO, NAGAI NAOSHI, ISHITOKU, TAKESHI, KIHARA, NORIAKI, MOTOYAMA, YOSHIO, NAGAI, NAOSHI, ISHITOKU, TAKESHI, C/O MITSUI PETROCHEMICAL, KIHARA, NORIAKI, C/O MITSUI PETROCHEMICAL, MOTOYAMA, YOSHIO, C/O MITSUI PETROCHEMICAL, NAGAI, NAOSHI, C/O MITSUI PETROCHEMICAL
Applicants: MITSUI CHEMICALS INC, MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: C07C239
IPC codes: C07C239