Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and catalysts for producing taurine by catalytic ammonolysis of alkali ditaurinate, alkali tritaurinate, and their mixture. Useful catalysts are the ammonium and alkali salts of sulfate, bisulfate, sulfite, bisulfite, carbonate, bicarbonate, nitrate, phosphate, and organic carboxylic acids.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing taurine by the ammonolysis of alkali isethionate in the presence of alkali ditaurinate or alkali tritaurinate, or their mixture, to inhibit the formation of byproducts and to continuously convert the byproducts of the ammonolysis reaction to alkali taurinate. Alkali taurinate is neutralized with isethionic acid to obtain taurine and to regenerate alkali isethionate. The production yield is increased to from 90% to nearly quantitative. The ammonolysis reaction is catalyzed by alkali salts of hydroxide, sulfate, sulfite, phosphate, or carbonate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing taurine by the ammonolysis of alkali isethionate in the presence of alkali ditaurinate or alkali tritaurinate, or their mixture, to inhibit the formation of byproducts and to continuously convert the byproducts of the ammonolysis reaction to alkali taurinate. The production yield is increased to from 90% to nearly quantitative. The ammonolysis reaction is catalyzed by alkali salts of hydroxide, sulfate, sulfite, phosphate, or carbonate.