Amine production via condensation reactions using rare earth metal hydrogen phosphates as catalysts

Claim 1

In a process for the synthesis of an organic amine by the condensation of a hydroxy composition with ammonia or a primary or secondary amine said condensation being effected in the presence of a phosphorus-containing compound as a catalyst, the improvement which comprises: effecting condensation between (a) an organic hydroxy composition represented by the formula: R(OH) x where R is a saturated aliphatic radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an olefinic radical having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, aliphatic ether having from 4 to 8 carbon atoms or aminoaliphatic where the aliphatic portion has from 2-6 carbon atoms: and x is 1 when R is methyl and 1 or 2 when R, has 2 or more carbon atoms and (b) an amino composition represented by the formula: R 1 R 2 NH where R 1 and R 2 are each selected from hydrogen, a saturated aliphatic radical having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an olefinic radical having 3-6 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl where the alkyl portion has from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and aliphatic ether having from 4-8 carbon atoms or R 1 and R 2 are are combined with the nitrogen to form a heterocyclic group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms; except where compositions (a) and (b) are defined by the same formula and then only one of said compositions is required; and