Alkyl p-aminomethyl-benzoates prepn. - by catalytic hydrogenation of alkyl p-cyano-benzoates in alkali

摘要

Single-stage process giving high yields of p-aminomethylbenzoic acid esters involves reacting 1-4C alkyl o-cyanobenzoates with hydrogen in the presence of hydrogenation catalysts at ca 10-200 degrees C in an aq. medium contg. alkali hydroxides, oxides and/or carbonates, alkaline earth hydroxides and/or oxides, and/or ammonia, the alkaline components being present in an amount of =1 gm equivalent of metal or ammonium ion per mol of alkyl p-cyanobenzoate. The prods. are useful for the preparation of p-aminoethyl-benzoic acid, which is useful as a modifying agent for fibres as a starting material for polymers, and as an intermediate for drugs, (e.g. trans-4-aminomethyl-cyclohexane-carboxylic acid).