Production of n, n'-di(1-methylalkylidene)-p-phenylenediamine

Claim 1

IN THE MANUFACTURE OF A N,N1-DI(METHYLALKYLIDENE)P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE BY THE REACTION OF P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE WITH A METHYL ALKYL KETONE HAVING ACID IMPURITIES THEREIN, THE PROCESS WHICH COMPRISES REACTING UNDER REFLUXING CONDITIONS AN ADMIXTURE OF P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE AND A METHYL ALKYL KETONE HAVING ACID IMPRUITIES, IN THE PRESENCE OF A CATALYST SYSTEM FORMED IN SITU IN TH REACTION ADMIXTURE BY THE ADDITION THERETO OF (I) AN ORGANIC ACID SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF ACETIC, PROPIONIC, BUTYRIC, VALERIC, CAPROIC, ENANTHIC, CAPRILIC, PELARGONIC, LAURIC, STEARIC, BENZOIC, TOLUIC AND CARBOLIC ACIDS, AND (II) A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF METAL OXIDES AND METAL HYDROXIDES IN WHICH THE METAL IS SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF LITHIUM, SODIUM, POTASSIUM, RUBIDIUM, CESIUM, FRACIUM, BERYLLIUM, MAGNESIUM, CALCIUM, STRONTIUM, BARIUM AND RADIUM, THUS FORMING IN SITU IN THE ADMIXTURE (A) A CATALYST CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF AN ALKALINE METAL SALT OF THE ORGANIC ACID AND (B) ALKALINE METAL SALTS OF THE ACID IMPURITIES OF THE METHYL ALKYL KETONE, MAINTAINING THE RESULTING ADMIXTURE IN ACTIVE REFLUXING ACTION, SEPARATING FROM THE REFLUXED VAPORS THE WATER OF CONDENSATION VAPORS AND REMOVING THE SAID WATER VAPORS FROM THE ZONE OF REACTION AS THEY ARE FORMED, AND RECOVERING FROM THE RESULTING REACTION ADMIXTURE THE N, N1-DI(METHYLALKYLIDENE)-P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE.