Process for the synthesis of n-substituted lactams and amides
A process for the synthesis of N-alkylated lactams via reductive alkylation. The process of the present disclosure may be conducted by the addition of an aldehyde to a lactam in the presence of a catalyst under a reducing atmosphere.
1. A process for preparing a substituted lactam, comprising:
reacting caprolactam with an alkylating agent selected from paraformaldehyde, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde;
in the presence of:
a catalyst;
hydrogen; and
optionally, process solvents, a total content of the process solvents of less than 1500 ppm,
to form water and an N-substituted lactam selected from the group consisting of N-methylcaprolactam and N-ethylcaprolactam.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the total content of process solvents is less than 1000 ppm.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is a palladium catalyst.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the reacting step is carried out at a temperature from 50° C. to 200° C.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the reacting step is carried out in the presence of a hydrogen atmosphere at a pressure of 100 to 200 psi.
6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the N-substituted lactam is N-methylcaprolactam.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the N-substituted lactam is N-ethylcaprolactam.
8. The process of claim 1 , wherein the N-substituted lactam is obtained at a yield of greater than 90%.