PROCESS FOR PRODUCING epsilon-CAPROLACTAME

摘要

A process for producing epsilon -caprolactam, characterized by subjecting cyclohexanone oxime to the vapor-phase Beckmann rearrangement reaction in the presence of an alcohol using a solid catalyst and treating the resultant reaction product containing a 1-aza-2-alkoxy-1-cycloheptene with water to remove the 1-aza-2-alkoxy-1-cycloheptene from the reaction product. The thus-obtained epsilon -caprolactam has a 1-aza-2-alkoxy-1-cycloheptene content of generally 100 ppm or lower, desirably 25 ppm or lower, preferably 10 ppm or lower. It hence has a low basicity with respect to free bases and is of desirable quality.