Process for manufacturing alkylamines

摘要

A process for converting a C1-C4 alcohol to a non-equilibrium controlled distribution of mono-, di- and trialkylamines is disclosed. A mixture of the alcohol and ammonia is reacted in a first conversion reactor containing a shape selective catalyst to yield a first product stream comprising the mono- and disubstituted alkylamines and substantially no trisubstituted alkylamine. A predetermined fraction of the first product stream is removed and the remainder of the stream is reacted in a second conversion reactor containing a catalyst which yields a second product stream comprising an equilibrium controlled distribution of the mono-, di- and trisubstituted alkylamine. The fraction of the first product stream and the second product stream are combined to yield an alkylamines stream comprising a non-equilibrium controlled alkylamines distribution.