A novel mild and efficient method to prepare ε-Caprolactam, the precursor of Nylon 6

OH

O

N

in industry generally requires high

New Salt

HN reaction temperatures and strongly 60-90º C, H2O acidic media, which cause serious corrosion problems and large amount of by-products.
In order to solve these adverse effects, the group of Ionic Liquids of the Organic Chemistry Department has developed a new method to prepare ε-caprolactam from cyclohexanone oxime by treatment with a new salt as promoter in water. This procedure requires mild reaction conditions (60ºC or 90ºC depending on the salt concentration) and avoids the use of corrosive acids or catalyzers. The new salt is cheap, no corrosive and easy to prepare. The procedure can also be applied by using microwaves. In this case, the reaction time decreases to 10 min.
Innovative aspects and advantages This procedure avoids the use of high temperatures or corrosive acids or catalyzers. The promoter new salt is cheap, no corrosive and easy to prepare. The reaction solvent is water, no toxic organic solvents are needed. All these characteristics makes the procedure suitable for industrial purposes.
Commercial applications and potential users It can be interesting to producers or users of nylon 6 (brush bristles, textile stiffeners, film coatings, synthetic leather, plastics, plasticizers, automotive paint, and crosslinking for polyurethanes).

Type of collaboration

Licensing of the technology and collaboration on the commercialization of the product.

Inventors:

Emilia Tojo Suárez, Miguel Vilas Aguete, Mª Emilia de Álava Ayesa