process for the production of n alkyl n - methylamine or n alkenyl n methylamine

摘要

A process for producing an N-alkyl-N-methylamine or an N-alkenyl-N-methylamine in a high yield from a higher alcohol and methylamine comprising the step of reacting a higher alcohol with methylamine in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper and another fourth period transition metal of the Periodic Table, except chromium, or a catalyst comprising copper, another fourth period transition metal of the Periodic Table, except chromium, and an element of the platinum group, at a pressure ranging from atmospheric pressure to 100 atm, at a reaction temperature ranging from 100 to 250 DEG C, with hydrogen gas being introduced into the reaction system while water produced in the reaction is removed from the reaction system and the amount of methylamine in the gaseous mixture which contains no water formed through the reaction and is exhausted from the reaction system is regulated to be from 5 to 50% by volume.