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.

1 . Cancel  
     
     
         2 . Cancel  
     
     
         3 . Cancel  
     
     
         4 . Cancel  
     
     
         5 . Cancel  
     
     
         6 . Cancel  
     
     
         7 . Cancel  
     
     
         8 . Cancel  
     
     
         9 . Cancel  
     
     
         10 . Cancel  
     
     
         11 . Cancel  
     
     
         12 . Cancel  
     
     
         13 . Cancel  
     
     
         14 . Cancel  
     
     
         15 . Cancel  
     
     
         16 . Cancel  
     
     
         17 . Cancel  
     
     
         18 . Cancel  
     
     
         19 . Cancel  
     
     
         20 . A process for preparing a cleaning 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 a compound selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, glycols, glycol ethers, aliphatic alcohols, alkanolamines, pyrrolidones, water, and mixtures thereof.    
     
     
         21 . Cancel  
     
     
         22 . Cancel