Nylon 6 synthesis with water, alkali metal hypophoshite catalyst and amine cocatalyst

摘要

A method for the polymerization of Nylon 6 from caprolactam and water using a catalyst composition comprising a primary catalyst, which can be an alkali metal hypophosphite or an alkali-earth metal hypophosphite, and an amine cocatalyst. The amine cocatalyst can be selected from the group consisting of phenylene diamines, hindered amines, poly(hindered amines), Group I benzotriazoles, and Group II benzotriazoles. The catalyst composition used in this invention is most useful when used in conjunction with the reactive extrusion technology which requires a very fast polymerization rate to take full advantage of this evolving technology.