N-alkyl lactam prodn. from lactam

摘要

Prodn. of N-alkyl lactams (I) comprises: (a) reacting a lactam (II) with alkali alkoxide (III) at 130-170 deg C, with distillative removal of alcohol; (b) reacting the prod. (opt. mixed. with the prod. of step (e) with an alkyl halide (IV); (c) sepn. of the resulting alkali salt; (d) purificn. of the crude (I) by distn., after adding a predetermined amt. of (III) to convert unreacted (II) to salt; and (e) recycling the sump prod. to step (b). In step (b) the solvent is: (i) a diether (IV) of formula RO-(CH2CH2O)mR; and/or (ii) the (I) being produced; R = 1-4C alkyl; and m = 1-8.