Keil & Weinkauf
Preparation of secondary amines from primary amines
A process for producing secondary amines of the formula R1R2N&#8212;A&#8212;NH&#8212;A&#8212;NR1R2, where R1 and R2 are linear or branched C1-20-alkyl radicals, optionally substituted with from 1 to 5 phenyl groups; or cyclohexyl radicals; or together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound, form a 3 to 7 membered saturated ring, optionally containing further hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of N, O and S, and optionally substituted with from 1 to 5 C1-2-alkyl groups. The group A is a linear or branched C2-20-alkylene group, optionally containing from 1 to 5 phenylene groups; or a radical of the formula &#8212;CH(R3)&#8212;[CH2]k&#8212;X&#8212;[CH(R3)&#8212;[CH2]k&#8212;X]m&#8212;CH(R3)&#8212;[CH2]k&#8212;, where R3 is H or CH3, X is O, S or NR4, R4 is H or a linear or branched C1-4-alkyl group, k is 1 or 2, and m is an integer from 0 to 4; or a group of the formula where n, o, p, and q are, independently, integers from 1 to 4. In this process, primary amines of the formula R1R2N&#8212;A&#8212;NH2 are reacted in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising at least one element or compound of an element of groups VIII and IB of the Periodic Table, preferably group IB, and in particular, Cu. Through this process, a high selectivity of the desired amines can be achieved.
BASF Aktiengesellschaft
C
C07C
inventional
Christoph Joachim Peter Arthur Johann-Peter
Benisch Pfeffinger Neumann Höhn Melder