PROCESS FOR PREPARING HYDROXYALKYLAMINOSULFONIC ACIDS

摘要

PROCESS FOR PREPARING HYDROXYALKYLAMINOSULFONIC ACIDS The invention provides a process for preparing hydroxyalkylaminosulfonic acids, known to be useful for a variety of purposes. The process comprises reacting a hydroxyalkylamine of the formula: (II) wherein R1 is a C1-C20 hydroxyalkyl group optionally containing -O- or -COO- in the alkyl chain and R2 is a hydrogen atom, a C1-C20 hydroxyalkyl group optionally containing -O- or -COO- in the alkyl chain or a lower alkyl group; with an alkali metal salt of an .alpha.,.beta.unsaturated sulfonic acid of the formula: (III) wherein R3 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and M is an alkali metal; followed by elimination of the alkali metal to give a hydroxyalkylaminosulfonic acid of the formula: (I) wherein R1 and R3 are each as defined above and R2 is a hydrogen atom, a C1-C20 hydroxyalkyl group optionally containing -O- or -COO- in the alkyl chain, a lower alkyl group or a group of the formula: wherein R3 is as defined above. This process is quite straightforward and can be carried out with high yield.