Abstract: A process for preparing N-hydroxyalkylaminomethylphosphonic acid or salts thereof which comprises contacting an alkanolamine, formaldehyde and a dialkyl phosphite in the presence of an alcohol under suitable reaction conditions to produce a reaction mixture, and hydrolyzing the reaction mixture under acidic or basic conditions. In one embodiment, the N-hydroxyalkylaminomethylphosphonic acid or salts thereof is catalytically oxidized to produce an N-phosphonomethylaminocarboxylic acid or salts thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing substituted aromatic azo compounds is provided which comprises contacting a nucleophilic compound and an azo containing compound in the presence of a suitable solvent system, and reacting the nucleophilic compound and the azo containing compound in the presence of a suitable base and a controlled amount of protic material at a temperature of about 10.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. in a confined reaction zone wherein the molar ratio of protic material to base is 0:1 to about 5:1.

Abstract: A method of producing 4-ADPA is disclosed wherein aniline or substituted aniline derivatives and nitrobenzene are reacted under suitable conditions to produce 4-nitrodiphenylamine or substituted derivatives thereof and/or 4-nitrosodiphenylamine or substituted derivatives thereof and/or their salts, either or both of which are subsequently reduced to produce 4-ADPA or substituted derivatives thereof. The 4-ADPA or substituted derivatives thereof can be reductively alkylated to produce p-phenylenediamine products or substituted derivatives thereof which are useful as antiozonants.

Abstract: A process for preparing substituted aromatic amines is provided which comprises contacting a nucleophilic compound and an azo containing compound in the presence of a suitable solvent system, reacting the nucleophilic compound and the azo containing compound in the presence of a suitable base and a controlled amount of protic material at a temperature of about 10.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. in a confined reaction zone wherein the molar ratio of protic material to base is 0:1 to about 5:1 and reducing the product of the reaction of the nucleophilic compound and the azo containing compound under conditions which produce the substituted aromatic amine. In another embodiment, the substituted aromatic amines of the invention are reductively alkylated to produce alkylated diamines or substituted derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing p-nitroaromatic amides is provided which comprises contacting a nitrile, nitrobenzene, a suitable base and water in the presence of a suitable solvent system to form a mixture, and reacting the mixture at a suitable temperature in a confined reaction zone in the presence of a controlled amount of protic material. The p-nitroaromatic amides of the invention can be reduced to p-aminoaromatic amides. In one embodiment, the p-aminoaromatic amide is further reacted with ammonia under conditions which produce the corresponding p-aminoaromatic amine and the amide corresponding to the nitrile starting material or with water in the presence of a suitable basic or acidic catalyst under conditions which produce the corresponding p-aminoaromatic amine and the acid or salt thereof corresponding to the nitrile starting material. In another embodiment, the p-aminoaromatic amine is reductively alkylated to produce alkylated p-aminoaromatic amine.

Abstract: A process for preparing substituted aromatic amines is provided which comprises contacting a substituted aromatic azo compound and an alcohol selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols, cycloaliphatic alcohols, arylalkyl alcohols and mixtures thereof in the presence of a suitable base at a temperature of about 70.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. In another embodiment, the substituted aromatic amines of the invention are reductively alkylated to produce alkylated diamines or substituted derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing p-nitroaromatic amides is provided which comprises contacting a nitrile, nitrobenzene, a suitable base and water in the presence of a suitable solvent system to form a mixture, and reacting the mixture at a suitable temperature in a confined reaction zone in the presence of a controlled amount of protic material. The p-nitroaromatic amides of the invention can be reduced to p-aminoaromatic amides. In one embodiment, the p-aminoaromatic amide is further reacted with ammonia under conditions which produce the corresponding p-aminoaromatic amine and the amide corresponding to the nitrile starting material or with water in the presence of a suitable basic or acidic catalyst under conditions which produce the corresponding p-aminoaromatic amine and the acid or salt thereof corresponding to the nitrile starting material. In another embodiment, the p-aminoaromatic amine is reductively alkylated to produce alkylated p-aminoaromatic amine.

Abstract: A process for preparing p-nitroaromatic amides is provided which comprises contacting an amide and nitrobenzene in the presence of a suitable solvent system, and reacting the amide and nitrobenzene in the presence of a suitable base and a controlled amount of protic material at a suitable temperature in a confined reaction zone. The p-nitroaromatic amides of the invention can be reduced to p-aminoaromatic amides. In one embodiment, the p-aminoaromatic amide is further reacted with ammonia under conditions which produce the corresponding p-aminoaromatic amine and the amide starting material which can be recycled or with water in the presence of a suitable basic or acidic catalyst under conditions which produce the corresponding p-aminoaromatic amine and the acid or salt thereof corresponding to the amide starting material. In another embodiment, the p-aminoaromatic amine is reductively alkylated to produce alkylated p-aminoaromatic amine.

Abstract: A process for preparing N-aliphatic substituted p-phenylenediamine intermediates is provided which comprises contacting an aliphatic amine or substituted aliphatic amine derivative and nitrobenzene in the presence of a suitable solvent system, and reacting the aliphatic amine or substituted aliphatic amine derivative and nitrobenzene in the presence of a suitable base and a controlled amount of protic material at a suitable temperature in a confined reaction zone. In one embodiment, the N-aliphatic substituted p-phenylenediamine intermediates are reduced to N-aliphatic substituted p-phenylenediamines and the N-aliphatic substituted p-phenylenediamines can be reductively alkylated to N'-alkylated, N-aliphatic substituted p-phenylenediamines. In another embodiment of the invention, N-aliphatic substituted p-phenylenediamine intermediates are reductively alkylated to N'-alkylated, N-aliphatic substituted p-phenylenediamines.

Abstract: A process for preparing an isocyanate having at least two --N.dbd.C.dbd.O groups is provided which comprises preparing a substituted aromatic amine having at least two --NH.sub.2 groups, recovering the substituted aromatic amine having at least two --NH.sub.2 groups, and preparing an isocyanate from the substituted aromatic amine having at least two --NH.sub.2 groups by (1) contacting the substituted aromatic amine with CO.sub.2 under conditions sufficient to produce the corresponding ammonium carbamate salt, and reacting the ammonium carbamate salt with an electrophilic or oxophilic dehydrating agent under conditions sufficient to produce the corresponding isocyanate, or (2) contacting the substituted aromatic amine with CO.sub.

Abstract: A method of producing 4-ADPA is disclosed wherein aniline and nitrobenzene are reacted under suitable conditions to produce 4-nitrodiphenylamine and/or 4-nitrosodiphenylamine and/or their salts, either or both of which are subsequently reduced to produce 4-ADPA. The 4-ADPA can be reductively alkylated to produce p-phenylenediamine products which are useful as antiozonants.