Preparation of N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylamide or N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylate and the quaternary ammonium salts thereof as flocculating aids and gelling agents

1. A process for preparing N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide or N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylate, said process comprising:

reacting, in a liquid phase, an alkyl (meth)acrylate with an amine or an alcohol to prepare a product that comprises

said N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide or N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylate;

wherein the oxygen concentration is <1000 ppm in the liquid phase,

wherein said N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide or N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylate have formula (I)

wherein

R 0 is hydrogen or methyl,

X is NH or O

R 2 , is a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene radical having 1-12 carbon atoms, or is an aryl radical that may also be substituted by at least one alkyl group,

R 3 , R 4 are each a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl radical having 1-12 carbon atoms, or is an aryl radical that may also be substituted by at least one alkyl group, and,

wherein the product has a content of less than 1200 ppm of a compound of formula (IV)

wherein R 0 is hydrogen or methyl,

X is NH or O

R 5 in each case is a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene radical, an aryl radical which may also be substituted by at least one alkyl group, the linear, cyclic or branched alkyl radical having from 1-12 carbon atoms.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide or N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylate or quaternary ammonium salts thereof have a content of less than 1200 ppm of the compound of the formula (IV) and are suitable for preparation of a soluble or non-coagulating polymer.

3. The process according to claim 2 , wherein the N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide or N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylate or quaternary ammonium salts thereof have a content of less than 1000 ppm of the compound of the formula (IV).

4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the preparing is effected with exclusion of oxygen.

5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the preparing is conducted under a protective gas atmosphere.

6. The process according to claim 1 , wherein a residence time is 0.1-11 h.

7. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the preparing is conducted at temperatures between 70° C. and 160° C.

8. The process according to claim 6 , wherein the preparing is conducted under reduced pressure.

9. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the alcohol is removed during the reaction.

10. The process according to claim 1 , wherein said reacting is conducted in the presence of at least one inhibitor selected from the group consisting of bis(2-methoxycarbonylpropyl) sulphide, N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, phenothiazine, 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinooxyl, N,N′-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine and derivatives thereof.

11. N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide or N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylate obtained by a process according to claim 1 .

12. The N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide or N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylate according to claim 11 which are suitable for polymerization in the form of bulk polymerization, solution polymerization, dispersion polymerization or emulsion polymerization.

13. A thickener, gelling agent, haircare composition, fixative, styling polymer, film former, household/industrial and institutional cleaning, flocculant, water clarifier, paper auxiliary/additive, printing ink, flow improver in the oil & gas industry or a gas hydrate inhibitor, comprising:

the N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide or N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylate according to claim 11 .

14. A method of preparing a quaternary ammonium salt, comprising:

reacting the N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide or N,N-(di)alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylate according to claim 11 with an alkyl halide or an alkyl sulphonate to give a quaternary ammonium salt which is suitable for polymerization.