PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF .EPSILON.-CAPROLACTAM

摘要

Process to prepare .epsilon.-caprolactam starting from a starting mixture containing a 6-aminocaproate ester, in which in a first step (1) the 6aminocaproate ester is converted into 6-aminocaproic acid and 6aminocaproamide by reaction with water in the presence of ammonia at a temperature of between 50 and 250 ~C, with a separate or simultaneous removal of alcohol(s), and in a subsequent step (2) the 6-aminocaproic acid and 6aminocaproamide are cyclizised at an elevated temperature, wherein in step (1) the 6-aminocaproate ester is converted into 6-aminocaproic acid and 6aminocaproamide in the presence of an amount higher than 2 wt.% and less than or equal to 25 wt.% NH3 (relative to the total amount of organic compounds, water and ammonia present in step (1)).