Production of 5-methyl-N-aryl-2-pyrrolidone and 5-methyl-N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone by reductive amination of levulinic acid esters with aryl and alkyl amines

Abstract

This invention relates to a process for producing 5-methyl-N-aryl-2-pyrrolidone, 5-methyl-N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone, and 5-methyl-N-cycloalkyl-2-pyrrolidone by reductive amination of levulinic acid esters with aryl or alkyl amines utilizing a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.

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         21 . A process for preparing an ink jet composition, the process comprising the steps of: 
 i) preparing 5-methyl-N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (VI) using a process comprising the step of contacting a levulinic acid ester (I) with an alkyl amine (V) in the presence of hydrogen gas and a metal catalyst, the metal catalyst being optionally supported, and, optionally, in the presence of a solvent;                           wherein R 2  is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, C 1 -C 18  unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl containing at least one heteroatom, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, and unsubstituted or substituted heteroaryl, and wherein R 4  is an alkyl group having from 1 to 30 carbons, and wherein R 4  may be C 1 -C 30  unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, C 1 -C 30  unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, C 1 -C 30  unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, C 3 -C 30  unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, or C 3 -C 30  unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl containing at least one heteroatom; and    ii) contacting 5-methyl-N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (VI) with at least one colorant.    
     
     
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