| abstract |
A process for purifying caprolactam, which has been obtained by a Beckmann rearrangement, by extracting crude caprolactam with solvents, distilling the extract in the presence of alkali, and isolating pure caprolactam, wherein, in a first stage, caprolactam is distilled from the alkaline distillation residue at a bottom temperature of 130°-160° C., and is recycled to the distillation stage, the residue thus obtained is distilled, in a second stage, at a bottom temperature of 140°-180° C., and the distillate is treated with strongly acidic agents in a third stage and is then recycled to the extraction stage. |