Gas phase morpholine prodn. - from di:ethylene glycol and ammonia over mixed metal hydrogenation catalyst

摘要

Prodn. of morpholine (I) comprises gas-phase reaction of diethylene glycol and NH3 in presence of H2 at elevated temp. and 1-30 atmos. over a Ni-Cu-Cr-Ti catalyst. Pref the catalyst comprises (by wt.) 25-55% NiO; 15-40% CuO, 0.7-7% Cr2O3 and 20-40% TiO2. (I) is an intermediate for vulcanisation accelerators, optical brighteners, surfactants, pharmaceuticals and dyes, and is also a solvent and corrosion inhibitor. Its derivs. are used in mfr. of polyurethane foams. Yields are improved (75-78 wt. %) and catalyst life extended (e.g. 2000 hrs. which is 3 times that of conventional catalysts).