Process for making iminodiacetic acid compounds from monoethanolamine substrates

摘要

This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine compound having the following formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl. In one embodiment, the process comprises contacting the monoethanolamine substrate with a cyanide source and a formaldehyde source to form a N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate, and contacting the N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate with a hydroxide source and a metal-containing catalyst to form the iminodiacetic acid compound.