PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF A LACTAM

摘要

Process for preparing a lactam which consists essentially in the reductive amination in the gas phase of an oxoalkane carboxylic acid having the formula ……R - @ - (CH2)n - COOH… or an alkyl ester thereof, wherein R is an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and n varies from 2 to 3, and wherein the reaction is carried out:… A. in an atmosphere of hydrogen, and… B. in the presence of a gas phase reactant selected from the group consisting of gaseous ammonia and a vaporized primary amine, and… C. in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst promoted with an alkali metal. …The alkali metal particularly preferred as a promoter is sodium.