By Replacing Hydroxy Patents (Class 564/402)
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Patent number: 5113018Abstract: N-alkyl amino phenols, such as N-ethyl-m-amino phenol are produced in high yield and with high purity by reacting a divalent phenol, such as resorcinol, with an alkylamine, such as ethylamine, in the absence of catalyst and solvent, at a temperature of 120.degree.-210.degree. C. under elevated pressure in an inert gas atmosphere. In a first embodiment, the resulting reaction mixture is acidified to convert the N-alkylaminophenol to its water soluble salt and the resulting aqueous layer is separated from the oily layer. The aqueous layer is rendered alkaline to liberate N-alkylaminophenol as an oily layer. The N-alkyl-aminophenol oily layer is then separated from the aqueous layer and distilled.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1990Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshito Kurano, Masato Kawamura, Masahiro Kondo, Michio Tanaka, Sanehiro Yamamoto
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Patent number: 5110928Abstract: N-Aryl-substituted 2-amino-alkyl-2-hydroxyalkylamines and N-aryl-substituted piperazines Ia and Ib respectively ##STR1## (Ar=aryl; R.sup.1 =hydrogen, methyl, identical or different, R.sup.2 =hydrogen, alkyl) are prepared by reacting an N,N-di(2-hydroxyalkyl)-N-arylamine II ##STR2## with ammonia or a primary amine IIIH.sub.2 N-R.sup.2 IIIat elevated temperature and under elevated pressure in the presence of hydrogen and of a catalyst which is a supported catalyst whose active mass predominantly contains copper and/or nickel and/or cobalt in the form of the metal or an oxide.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1991Date of Patent: May 5, 1992Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wolfgang Schroeder, Guenther Ruider
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Patent number: 5091579Abstract: Amination of phenolic compounds by ammonia is accomplished in the presence of a gamma alumina containing a small amount of fluoride.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1989Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Assignee: Aristech Chemical CorporationInventor: Leonard A. Cullo
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Patent number: 5015773Abstract: An amine is produced by reacting in the presence of hydrogen at elevated temperature a first reactant which is a compound substantially involatile at the elevated temperature employed and having either one, two or more hydroxyl functions, each of which is independently either a primary or secondary hydroxyl function, with a second reactant which is either ammonia or a primary or a secondary amine in the presence of a reductive amination catalyst wherein the reaction is effected in either a continuously or periodically open system.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1989Date of Patent: May 14, 1991Assignee: BP Chemicals LimitedInventor: Ian D. Dobson
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Patent number: 5011999Abstract: A process for the preparation of predominantly non-cyclic polyalkylenepolyamines comprising contacting a difunctional aliphatic alcohol with ammonia or a primary or secondary aliphatic amine in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of Group VB metal oxides, niobium phosphates, tantalum phosphates, and mixtures thereof. For example, monoethanolamine is aminated by ethylenediamine to predominantly linear and branched polyethylenepolyamines in the presence of a catalyst containing niobium oxide supported on boehmite alumina.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1989Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert G. Bowman, George E. Hartwell, David C. Molzahn, Enrique G. Ramirez, John E. Lastovica, Jr.
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Patent number: 4992587Abstract: Process for preparing a ruthenium promoted, halogen-containing, nickel and/or cobalt catalyst includes impregnating, in one or more steps, a porous metal oxide support with a nickel compound and/or a cobalt compound, and a ruthenium compound to form a catalyst intermediate; reducing the nickel compound and/or cobalt compound, and ruthenium compound, in one or more steps, to the respective metal by reacting the catalyst intermediate with hydrogen gas at an elevated temperature sufficient to reduce the respective compounds to the metal; and introducing halogen by adding a halide compound at any stage in the process. Catalyst prepared by the above process and use thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1989Date of Patent: February 12, 1991Assignee: Berol Kemi ABInventor: Juhan Koll
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Patent number: 4987260Abstract: An aniline is prepared by reacting a phenol with an amination agent in the presence of a specific porous .gamma.-alumina catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1988Date of Patent: January 22, 1991Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuki Yasuhara, Fujihisa Matsunaga
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Patent number: 4952731Abstract: Diphenylamines or N,N'-diphenyl-phenylenediamines can be obtained by heat-reacting an aniline or a phenylenediamine with preferably an excess of a phenol in an amount of 4 to 20 moles per mole of the aniline or phenylenediamine in th presence of a hydrogen transfer catalyst and a cyclohexanone corresponding to said phenol.The excess phenol used in the reaction undergoes reduction in the reaction system to form a cyclohexanone, which in turn reacts with the aniline or phenylenediamine to form a Schiff base and is thus consumed. The Schiff base forms the intended product by means of a dehydrogenation reaction, and the hydrogen evolved at this time reduces the phenol to form a cyclohexanone.The phenol present in excess thus becomes in the system a solvent, a starting material for the cyclohexanone, and an acceptor of the hydrogen that forms as a by-product at the time of formation of the intended product.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1988Date of Patent: August 28, 1990Assignee: Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Teruyuki Nagata, Akihiro Tamaki, Nobuyuki Kajimoto, Masaru Wada
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Patent number: 4922024Abstract: A process for preparing amines comprising contacting an alcohol with a reactant amine in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising at least one compound containing an element of Group VIB and at least one non-metallic element of Groups IIIA, IVA, and VA of the Periodic Table, the contacting occurring under conditions such that the hydroxyl moiety of the alcohol is replaced by the reactant amine to form an amine product.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1988Date of Patent: May 1, 1990Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert G. Bowman, Marvin H. Tegen, George E. Hartwell
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Patent number: 4900832Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the catalytic amination of 1.degree. and 2.degree. alcohols and diols wherein an amine is reacted with an alcohol or diol in the presence of a non-acidic cationic hydroxyapatite catalyst. A typical reaction includes the amination of ethanol with piperidine to form N-ethylpiperidine. The hydroxyapatite catalyst provides high conversion and selectivity toward the N-alkylated product. Product selectivity can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of cation to phosphorus in the hydroxyapatite catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1988Date of Patent: February 13, 1990Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Gene E. Parris, Ronald Pierantozzi
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Patent number: 4888447Abstract: A process is described for selectively preparing alkoxylated tertiary amine compounds, such as aminated ethoxylated amines, at ambient pressure by reacting an oxyalkylated alcohol with a secondary amine in the presence of a reductive amination catalyst at above ambient temperature using, as a reductive amination catalyst, a combination of Raney nickel and molybdenum.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1988Date of Patent: December 19, 1989Assignee: Ethyl CorporationInventor: Kim R. Smith
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Patent number: 4886914Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of alpha alkyl amino aldehydes of formula ##STR1## in which R is alkyl or aralkyl possibly substituted, characterized in that N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine is reacted, in a basic medium, on a blocked amine ester of an amino acid of formula ##STR2## and in that the product obtained is reduced with the aid of a hydride such as the double hydride of lithium-aluminum.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1985Date of Patent: December 12, 1989Assignee: SanofiInventors: Bertrand Castro, Jean Fehrentz
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Patent number: 4871875Abstract: Diphenylamines or N,N'-diphenyl-phenylenediamines can be obtained by heat-reacting an aniline or a phenylenediamine with preferably an excess of a phenol in an amount of 4 to 20 moles per mole of the aniline or phenylenediamine in the presence of a hydrogen transfer catalyst and a cyclohexanone corresponding to said phenol.The excess phenol used in the reaction undergoes reduction in the reaction system to form a cyclohexanone, which in turn reacts with the aniline or phenylenediamine to form a Schiff base and is thus consumed. The Schiff base forms the intended product by means of a dehydrogenation reaction, and the hydrogen evolved at this time reduces the phenol to form a cyclohexanone.The phenol present in excess thus becomes in the system a solvent, a starting material for the cyclohexanone, and an acceptor of the hydrogen that forms as a by-product at the time of formation of the intended product.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1988Date of Patent: October 3, 1989Assignee: Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Teruyuki Nagata, Akihiro Tamaki, Nobuyuki Kajimoto, Masaru Wada
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Patent number: 4855505Abstract: The invention relates to a ruthenium promoted nickel and/or cobalt dehydrogenation-hydrogenation catalyst. The ruthenium on the catalyst is applied from a solution containing a ruthenium halide compound. The catalyst use in organic reactions and a process performed in its presence are also described. Preferably, the catalyst is used to aminate alkylene oxides, alcohols, phenols, alkanolamines, aldehydes, and ketones.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1986Date of Patent: August 8, 1989Assignee: Berol Kemi ABInventor: Juhan Koll
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Patent number: 4827035Abstract: Primary, secondary and tertiary amines are prepared by reacting ammonia or a primary amine with a primary or secondary monohydric or polyhydric alcohol over a copper catalyst such as that which forms of its own accord from copper formate under the reaction conditions.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1987Date of Patent: May 2, 1989Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Herbert Mueller, Hartmut Axel
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Patent number: 4806690Abstract: A method for producing amines, the method comprising contacting at reactive conditions at least one alcohol, aldehyde or ketone, or a mixture thereof, with an aminating agent in the presence of a catalyst, is improved by employing as the catalyst a composition comprising cobalt, copper, and a third component selected from a group consisting of iron, zinc, zirconium and mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1985Date of Patent: February 21, 1989Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventor: Robert G. Bowman
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Patent number: 4804783Abstract: Diphenylamines or N,N'-diphenyl-phenylenediamines can be obtained by heat-reacting an aniline or a phenylenediamine with preferably an excess of a phenol in an amount of 4 to 20 moles per mole of the aniline or phenylenediamine in the presence of a hydrogen transfer catalyst and a cyclohexanone corresponding to said phenol.The excess phenol used in the reaction undergoes reduction in the reaction system to form a cyclohexanone, which in turn reacts with the aniline or phenylenediamine to form a Schiff base and is thus consumed. The Schiff base forms the intended product by means of a dehydrogenation reaction, and the hydrogen evolved at this time reduces the phenol to form a cyclohexanone.The phenol present in excess thus becomes in the system a solvent, a starting material for the cyclohexanone, and an acceptor of the hydrogen that forms as a by-product at the time of formation of the intended product.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1987Date of Patent: February 14, 1989Assignee: Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Teruyuki Nagata, Akihiro Tamaki, Nobuyuki Kajimoto, Masaru Wada
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Patent number: 4801752Abstract: The present invention relates to a vapor phase process for the production of N-alkyl and N,N-dialkylaniline by alkylation of aniline with an alcohol, preferably methanol and ethanol, in the presence of a ZSM-5 catalyst. A modified ZSM-5 catalyst has the advantage of high selectivity for N-alkylation while suppressing the formation of undesired by-products, such as toluidines. The molar ratio of silica to alumina in the catalyst is from about 20:1 to 700:1 and preferably from about 30:1 to 200:1. The silica-alumina may be modified with alkali metal, alkali earth metal or transition metal ions, preferably cesium, potassium, magnesium and iron, to form the finished catalyst. The reactants are contacted in the presence of the catalyst at a temperature of from about 300.degree. to 500.degree. C., at a pressure of from about 1 to 3 atmospheres, and at a molar ratio of alcohol to aniline of from about 1 to 6. The feed rates expressed as weight hourly space velocity (g feed/g catalyst/hour) are broadly from about 0.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1987Date of Patent: January 31, 1989Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Po Y. Chen, Shiao J. Chu, Mei C. Chen, Nan S. Chang, Wen C. Lin
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Patent number: 4792622Abstract: A secondary amine is effectively prepared by reacting an alcohol or an aldehyde with a primary amine in the presence of a catalyst of copper, nickel and a metal element belonging to the platinum group VIII at a pressure of the atmospheric pressure to 5 kg/cm.sup.2 G at a temperature of 150.degree. to 250.degree. C., while water produced in the reaction is being removed out, and separating the resulting secondary amine from the product mixture.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1986Date of Patent: December 20, 1988Assignee: Kao CorporationInventors: Yukinaga Yokota, Yuzi Sawamoto, Hideki Taniguchi, Kazuhiko Okabe
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Patent number: 4772750Abstract: A method for producing amines, the method comprising contacting at reactive conditions at least one alcohol, aldehyde or ketone, or a mixture thereof, with an aminating agent in the presence of a cobalt/copper catalyst, is improved by employing as the catalyst a composition comprising cobalt and copper, the catalyst being prepared by the molten salt impregnation technique.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1986Date of Patent: September 20, 1988Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventor: Clarence E. Habermann
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Patent number: 4654440Abstract: Alkanols, e.g., octanol, are reacted in gas mixtures with excess ammonia and preferably hydrogen at temperatures from 180.degree. to 340.degree. C. over supported catalytic oxides of copper, manganese, antimony and tin at atmospheric to moderate pressures. Depending on the selected catalyst and selected temperature, yields of 40% to 98% of monoalkyl amines or nitriles are produced. Other organic substrates, such as aromatic alcohols and aldehydes, aliphatic aldehydes, esters and primary and secondary amines can also be converted to nitriles at yields greater than 90%. The process is readily adaptable for continuous flow processing.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1980Date of Patent: March 31, 1987Assignee: American Cyanamid CompanyInventors: Roger J. Card, Joseph L. Schmitt, Jr.
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Patent number: 4621158Abstract: A method for making amines by reacting alcohols and/or aldehydes with primary and/or secondary amines or with ammonia in the presence of a catalyst at elevated temperature, and optionally at elevated pressure, in the liquid phase, the catalyst being an unsupported catalyst consisting of a combination of copper and tin compounds.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1985Date of Patent: November 4, 1986Assignee: Schering AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hans-Juergen Hubert, Klaus D. Tillmetz
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Patent number: 4613705Abstract: Aromatic amines are alkylated by reaction with an alcohol in the presence of a Group V-B metal oxide alkylation catalyst, preferably a major proportion of a Group V-B metal oxide such as V.sub.2 O.sub.5 in combination with a minor proportion of an A-subgroup metal oxide such as SnO.sub.2, so that alkylation of the aromatic amine occurs. Under most reaction conditions a considerable portion of the alcohol alkylating agent such as ethanol not consumed in the alkylation reaction passes through the reaction zone undecomposed and thus can be readily recovered for recycle or other use.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1984Date of Patent: September 23, 1986Assignee: Ethyl CorporationInventor: Duane C. Hargis
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Patent number: 4609760Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of 2,6-xylidine by amination of 2,6-dimethylphenol in the vapor phase with ammonia in the presence of an aluminum oxide catalyst is disclosed. According to the invention, particular amination conditions are chosen to effect high yields of the desired product. These conditions include a temperature of 360.degree. to 460.degree. C. and a minimum molar ratio of ammonia to 2,6-dimethylphenol which corresponds to the general formula ##EQU1## wherein X represents the minimum molar ratio of ammonia to 2,6-dimethylphenol,Y represents the minimum pressure andM and B are constants, with M=-39.2826 andB=262.809.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1981Date of Patent: September 2, 1986Assignee: Bayer AktiengesellschaftInventors: Siegfried Bohm, Helmut LeBlanc, Karlfried Wedemeyer
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Patent number: 4552876Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein, R is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl;R.sub.1 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, aralkyl, substituted aryl, halo, OR.sup.2, SR.sup.2, NR.sub.2, CF.sub.3, NO.sub.2, CN, COOR.sup.2, CHO, SO.sub.3 H or SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2,whereinR.sup.2 is H, methyl, ethyl or propyl;Y is ##STR2## Z is O, S, NH or CH.sub.2 ; X is --CH.sub.2 --, ##STR3## or --(CH.sub.2).sub.n CHOH(CH.sub.2).sub.n --; whereinR.sup.2 is H, methyl, ethyl or propyl;n is 1-10, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof have antiallergy and antiinflammatory activity.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1984Date of Patent: November 12, 1985Assignee: USV Pharmaceutical Corp.Inventors: Howard Jones, Ernest Magnien, John H. Musser, Mujahid L. Shaikh
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Patent number: 4506039Abstract: Polymer-containing polyether polyamines containing terminal aromatically-bound amino groups are produced by in situ polymerization of a polyether polyamine with an olefinically unsaturated monomer. The polyether polyamine starting material must have terminal aromatic amino groups, a molecular weight of from 800 to 10,000 and an aromatic amino group content of from 0.3 to 16 wt. %. Suitable olefinically unsaturated monomers include .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitriles, aromatic vinyl compounds, .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acids and esters thereof, vinyl esters, vinyl halides, vinylidene halides, .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid amides and aminoalkyl esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids. Acrylonitrile/styrene mixtures are preferred monomers. The starting materials are employed in quantities such that the product modified polyether polyamine contains from 1 to 60 wt. % polymer or graft-polymer. The product polyamines are particularly useful in the production of polyurethanes.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1982Date of Patent: March 19, 1985Assignee: Bayer AktiengesellschaftInventors: Gerhard Balle, Werner Rasshofer, Winfried Schoberth
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Patent number: 4496763Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkyl-substituted anilines by the reaction of alkyl-substituted phenols in the vapor phase with ammonia in the presence of an aluminium oxide catalyst, the starting materials being passed through the reactor at a particular flow rate.Alkyl-substituted anilines are intermediate products for the preparation of herbicides.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1982Date of Patent: January 29, 1985Assignee: Bayer AktiengesellschaftInventors: Helmut Le Blanc, Karlfried Wedemeyer
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Patent number: 4485260Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the production of unsymmetrical, substituted diarylamines by the reaction of a primary aromatic amine and a substituted phenol wherein the phenol is held in excess of the primary aromatic amine thereby minimizing by-product formation as a result of self-condensation of the primary arylamine. The desired secondary amine is produced in high yield and purity by recycling the unreacted phenol.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1982Date of Patent: November 27, 1984Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Paul Szabo, Daniel E. Freeman, Trevor I. Martin, John M. Lennon
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Patent number: 4480127Abstract: A process for the production of predetermined variable amounts of diphenylamine and aniline from a feedstock consisting essentially of phenol and ammonia is disclosed. The process involves catalytically reacting phenol and ammonia to produce aniline in situ and then reacting part of the aniline with other phenol and aniline to produce DPA, with the remaining aniline being removed from the reaction media as product.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1983Date of Patent: October 30, 1984Assignee: The Halcon SD Group, Inc.Inventors: Mitchell Becker, Howard M. Sachs
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Patent number: 4448993Abstract: Hydroxybenzenes are converted to the corresponding amines by contacting the hydroxybenzene and ammonia at temperatures of about 250.degree.-550.degree. C. and pressures of about 0-5000 psig with a novel siliceous composition prepared by impregnating porous silica with aluminum hydride and subsequently heating the impregnated silica to a temperature of from about 300.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C. in a non-oxidizing environment.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1982Date of Patent: May 15, 1984Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventor: Lynn H. Slaugh
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Patent number: 4434299Abstract: A process for the preparation of aniline by reaction of alicyclic alcohols or ketones with ammonia in the presence of a crystalline silicate catalyst having the structure of ZSM-5. Especially preferred alicyclic charge stocks are the mononuclear naphthenic type compounds such as cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone or mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1982Date of Patent: February 28, 1984Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventors: Clarence D. Chang, William H. Lang
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Patent number: 4429155Abstract: Aromatic amines (anilines) are obtained directly or via the corresponding cycloaliphatic amines by an aminating/hydrogenating reaction of phenols with ammonia and hydrogen over a supported palladium catalyst which also contains elements from group 1b, 2b or 7b of the periodic table as well as iron, cobalt or nickel, as such or in the form of their compounds, and, preferably, an inorganic base, said catalysts also having dehydrogenating properties.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1981Date of Patent: January 31, 1984Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Norbert Goetz, Peter Jacobs, Leopold Hupfer, Herbert Toussaint, Wolfgang Reiss
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Patent number: 4404399Abstract: A process for the coproduction of aniline and diphenylamine from phenol and ammonia is shown. An aniline reaction mixture containing ammonia and phenol is at least partially reacted to form aniline and that reaction mixture is distilled to separate a portion of the product aniline and the unreacted phenol therein. Aniline and phenol are then at least partially reacted to form diphenylamine. Product aniline and diphenylamine are recovered.In the preferred embodiment the aniline formed in the aniline reaction is stripped of ammonia and water and distilled to form purified aniline and a crude bottoms product containing phenol and aniline. The latter stream is combined with the dried effluent from the diphenylamine reactor and, after distillation to separate crude diphenylamine, is recycled to the diphenylamine reactor.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1982Date of Patent: September 13, 1983Assignee: The Halcon SD Group, Inc.Inventors: Nand K. Kochar, Brian J. Ozero
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Patent number: 4400537Abstract: A process for the preparation of 1,4-phenylenediamine from 1,4-dihydroxybenzene at a temperature within the range of from about 300.degree. C. to 450.degree. C. and a pressure of from atmospheric to 3000 psig in the presence of an aminating agent, an inert hydrocarbon and an acidic alumina catalyst. p-Aminophenol can be aminated to 1,4-phenylenediamine with the same process.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1982Date of Patent: August 23, 1983Assignee: Standard Oil Company (Indiana)Inventor: Thomas A. Weil
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Patent number: 4380669Abstract: A process for converting phenolic compounds to aniline by passing them over ammonia in the presence of ZSM-5 type zeolites under conversion conditions whereby high conversion, high selectivity and improved rates of production are achieved.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1981Date of Patent: April 19, 1983Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventors: Clarence D. Chang, William H. Lang
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Patent number: 4355180Abstract: Aromatic amines, in particular substituted amines, are obtained from corresponding alicyclic alcohols or ketones, in one step, by amination and dehydrogenation with ammonia in the presence of hydrogen and of a palladium catalyst which also contains zinc or cadmium.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1981Date of Patent: October 19, 1982Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Norbert Goetz, Leopold Hupfer, Werner Hoffmann, Manfred Baumann
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Patent number: 4326080Abstract: A process for the preparation of a 4-aminodiphenyl amino derivative which comprises:(a) contacting a hydroxybenzene of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydroxyl or amino with an aniline compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 represents hydrogen or an alkyl radical in the presence of a .gamma.-aluminum oxide containing catalyst; and(b) contacting the product from step (a) with ammonia in the presence of the same .gamma.-aluminum oxide containing catalyst used in step (a).Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1980Date of Patent: April 20, 1982Assignee: Bayer AktiengesellschaftInventors: Karlfried Wedemeyer, Siegfried Bohm