MANUFACTURE OF FORMAMIDES

摘要

The instant invention relates to a process for the preparation of formamides in which ammonia, a primary or a secondary amine is reacted with carbon monoxide at an elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a mixture consisting of a phenol and a phenate salt from the group consisting of an alkali metal phenate and an alkaline earth metal phenate, said phenol and said phenate salt each having the radical: wherein R is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl radical having from 3 to 18 carbon atoms and a hydroxyaryl radical of the formula: in which R' is an alkylene group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms and in which x has a value of 1 to 2 when R is said alkyl radical and x has a value of 1 when R is said hydroxyaryl radical.