| abstract |
Prepn. of mono- or poly-, symmetrical or asymmetrical tert-amines comprises reacting a prim. or sec. amine R1-NH-R2 (where R1 and R2 are each H, alkyl or cycloalkyl gps., opt. substd. by inert substs. which, in turn, may carry amino gps. -NHR1) with mono- or di-hydric prim. or sec. - alcohols. The reaction is catalysed by a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalyst, opt. in the presence of H2, and the amine is fed into the liq. reaction mixt. contg. the mixt. of alcohol required for the reaction and the proportion of water formed in the reaction is eliminated. High yields of tert-amines are obtd. with low amts. of prim- and sec-amine contamination. Since the alcohol reactant is completely consumed the sepn. of alcohol from tert-amine, which is usually difficult and energy-consuming, is avoided. |