Process for the preparation of -caprolactam and -caprolactam precursors

摘要

Process for the preparation of epsilon -caprolactam and epsilon -caprolactam precursors, starting from the corresponding 5-formylvalerate ester, ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein in a first step 5-formylvalerate ester is reacted with ammonia under non-hydrogenating conditions, and in a second step the reaction product obtained in the first step is converted to epsilon -caprolactam and the epsilon -caprolactam precursor(s) under hydrogenating conditions in the presence of ammonia.