| abstract |
The invention relates to the field of organic chemistry.n n n It relates to a process for the preparation of ethylene diamine-N, N′-bis (ortho-hydroxyphenylacetic) acid and derivatives thereof, by reaction of an appropriate phenol, glyoxylic acid and ethylene- diamine in an aromatic polar solvent in the presence of a mineral base and a catalyst chosen from (i) hydroxides and salts of certain metals, such as Zn or Mg, soluble in the reaction medium, (ii) tertiary amines and (iii) mixtures thereof.n n n The compounds produced are chelating agents. |