PROCESS FOR PREPARING RACEMIC NICOTINE

摘要

Provided is a process for preparing racemic nicotine from 1-methyl-3-nicotinoyl-2-pyrrolidone or a salt thereof using one-pot process. The process comprises the following steps: 1) in a reaction vessel, reacting 1-methyl-3-nicotinoyl-2-pyrrolidone or a salt thereof in the presence of a suitable solvent and a strong acid by heat; after the reaction is complete, cooling the same and adjusting the pH to 7-8 with alkali; and 2) directly adding a reductant into the above vessel, and after the reaction, purifying the product so as to obtain high purity racemic nicotine or a salt thereof.