| abstract |
A process for the preparation of diaryl para-phenylenediamines from a crude para-aminophenol solution such as obtained by the catalytic hydrogenation of nitrobenzene in an aqueous acid reaction medium. The process comprises contacting the para-aminophenol containing acidic solution, after neutralization with ammonia, with an aromatic amine selected from the group consisting of aniline, mixed toluidines, ortho-toluidine, mixed xylidines, and mixtures thereof under conditions whereby the aromatic amine extracts the para-aminophenol from the crude feed solution and is separated therefrom. The separated solution comprised essentially of the aromatic amine extractant, para-aminophenol, and minor amounts of impurities is then contacted with an alkylation catalyst to produce the diaryl para-phenylenediamines. |