Abstract: A continuous process for preparing alkylamines comprises reacting continuous streams of ammonia and alkyl halide in a molar ratio of at least 10:1 in a pressure reactor. The ultimate reaction mixture has a temperature of >80° C., a pressure of >40 bar and an ammonium halide content of >1% by weight, and comprises two phases (A) a first phase comprising at least 75% by weight of the total amount of ammonium halide formed, and (B) a second phase comprising at least 80% by weight of the total amount of alkylamine formed. The first and second phases are separated, and an alkylamine product is recovered therefrom.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of hydroxy and amino compounds, in which, in a first step, an aldehyde, ketone or imine is reacted in a Reformatsky reaction with a reactive halogen compound and zinc, in carboxylic esters as solvents, the reactive halogen compound being brought into contact with the zinc at the same time as or after contact with the aldehyde, ketone or imine, and in a second step, the reaction product of the first step is hydrolyzed.