GB1599930A - Purification of dinitroanilines by removal of nitrosamine impurities - Google Patents

Abstract

Hydrochloric acid in either 20-38% concentration or gaseous form is effective is removing nitrosamines from a number of dinitroaniline herbicides.

Description

(54) PURIFICATION OF DINITROANILINES BY REMOVAL OF NITROSAMINE IMPURITIES (71) We, ELI LILLY AND COMPANY, a corporation of the State of Indiana, United States of America, having a principal place of business at 307 East McCarty Street, City of Indianapolis, State of Indiana, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention is directed to a process for the removal of nitrosamines from dinitroanilines, by the use of hydrochloric acid or gaseous HCI.

The dinitroaniline class of compounds includes numerous commerical herbicides. Recently a new analytical device, known as a thermal energy analyzer (TEA), has been developed (J. Chromatogr. 107 (1975), 351 and References there cited; and "N-nitroso Compounds in the Environment, IARC Scientific Publication #9 (International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, 1974), p. 40).

The TEA analyzes specifically for the nitroso (-NO) group, and is capable of detecting the nitroso group at concentrations as low as 0.02 ppm-much lower than prior analytical techniques. Analysis of various dinitroanilines by the TEA reveals that some of the dinitroanilines contain very small amounts of nitrosamines. The presence of even a very small amount of nitrosamine is viewed as undesirable, because certain of the nitrosamines have been shown to be carcinogenic in animals.

The present invention provides a method for removing nitrosamines from dinitroanilines.

The chemistry of aliphatic N-nitrosamines is reviewed in Russian Chem. Rev. 40 (1) 3450 (1971) (Eng.). The reaction of nitrosamines with inorganic acids (page 41 et seq.) is covered. The reaction of hydrochloric acid and gaseous HCI with nitrosamines is discussed.

Chem. Listy 51 937-945(1957) reports on the kinetics and mechanism of the conversion of nitrosamines to the corresponding simple amines by strong mineral acids.

Lieb. Ann. 345 277-288 (1906) teaches the preparation of di-n-propylamine by treatment of nitrosodi-n-propylamine with gaseous HCI.

None of these references teaches the use of HCI to remove nitrosamines from the particular dinitroanilines of the present invention. Moreover, it is unexpected that this removal would be achieved so efficiently by the use of HCI.

The amount of nitrosamines present in dinitroamines can be significantly reduced with this invention.

This invention provides a process which comprises (1) contacting a nitrosamine-containing dinitroaniline selected from trifluralin, isopropalin, benefin, ethalfuralin, butralin, tendimethalin, fluchloralin, profluralin, dinitramine, 4-trifluoromethyl-2,6-dinitro-3-chloro-N,N-diethylaniline, 4-methyl-2,6-dinitro-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aniline, oryzalin, and nitralin, (a) in liquid phase (b) with 2038% hydrochloric acid or gaseous HCI until the concentration of the nitrosamine has been reduced; and (2) thereafter recovering the dinitroaniline.

The present invention is directed to a process which comprises contacting a nitrosamine-containing dinitroaniline in liquid phase with aqueous hydrochloric acid or gaseous HCI, until the concentration of the nitrosamine has been reduced; and thereafter recovering the dinitroaniline. Dinitroanilies with which the present invention can be practiced (and their generic names where available) are (1) 4 - trifluoromethyl - 2,6 - dinitro - N,N - di - n - propylaniline (trifluralin); (2) 4 - isopropyl - 2,6 - dinitro - N,N - di - n - propylaniline (isopropalin): (3) 4 - trifluoromethyl - 2,6 - dinitro - N - n - butyl - N - ethylaniline (benefin); (4) 4 - trifluoromethyl - 2,6 - dinitro - N - ethyl - N - methallylaniline (ethalfluralin); (5) 4 - tert - butyl - 2,6 - dinitro - N - sec - butylaniline (butralin); (6) 3,4 - dimethyl - 2,6 - dinitro - N - (1 - ethylpropyl) - aniline (tendimethalin); (7) 4- trifluoromethyl- 2,6 - dinitro - N- propyl- N - (2 chloroethyl)aniline (fluchloralin); (8) 4 - trifluoromethyl - 2,6 - dinitro - N - propyl - N (cyclopropylmethyl)aniline (profluralin); (9) 4 - trifluoromethyl - 2,6 - dinitro - 3 - amino - N,N - diethylaniline (dinitramine); (10) 4 - trifluoromethyl - 2,6 - dinitro - 3 - chloro - N,N - diethylaniline (intermediate to ditramine); (11) 4 - methyl - 2,6 - dinitro - N,N - bis(2 - chloroethyl) - aniline; (12) 4 - sulfamoyl - 2,6 - dinitro - N,N - di - n - propyl - aniline (oryzalin): and (13)4 - (methylsulfonyl) - 2,6 - dinitro - N,N - di n - propylaniline (nitralin) Preferred dinitroanilines with which the present invention is carried out are trifluralin, isopropalin, benefin, and ethafluralin.

Generally, the dinitroanilines are prepared by a reaction route of which the following, for trifluralin, is typical:

It is believed that small amounts of nitrogen oxides remaining from the nitration step react with a portion of the amine during the amination step, generating small amounts of nitrosamine which may appear in the final dinitroaniline product.

Therefore, any nitrosamine contaminant is expected to be the nitroso derivative of the alkylamine employed. However, it is conjectured that exceedingly small amounts of yet other nitrosamines may also be formed. The removal of nitrosamines, regardless of identity, is desirable, and the present process meets that objective.

The mechanism by which the present process operates is not known with certainty, but it is believed that HCI denitrosates the nitrosamine to some other species, probably the HCI salt of the corresponding amine. It is also believed but not yet proven that NOCI may be generated as part of the denitrosation. In any event, the net result is conversion of the undesirable nitrosamine to a water soluble substance which can readily be removed from the dinitroaniline.

The present process provides substantial reduction in nitrosamine concentration, regardless of the initial amount of nitrosamine. The process has been conducted with dinitroanilines containing from as little as 10 ppm of nitrosamine to as much as several thousand ppm of nitrosamine: nitrosamine concentration is generally reduced to about one-tenth of the initial amount, or less.

In many cases, the nitrosamine concentration is reduced to less than about 1 ppm.

The present process is conducted in a liquid phase. In the instance of many of the dinitroanilines, this can be acheived by heating the nitrosamine-containing dinitroaniline to its melting temperature or higher and conducting the reaction neat.

A liquid phase can also be achieved by dissolving the nitrosamine-containing dinitroaniline in a solvent. Suitable solvents include alcohols, e.g. a primary alcohol such as ethanol; a ketone such as acetone; and hydrocarbons, both aliphatic and aromatic. Solvents comprisng moieties reactive with HCI should be avoided. For example. secondary and tertiary alcohols should be avoided because of their reactivity with HCI.

The reagent to be employed in the present process is either hydrochloric acid or gaseous HCI. If hydrochloric acid is used, it should contain at least 20% HCI (by weight). Better results have been obtained with more concentrated hydrochloric acid, such as 33-38%,. Gaseous HC1 can also be employed, and this is generally a preferred mode of carrying out the present invention. In the instance of ethalfluralin, gaseous HCI has an advantage over hydrochloric acid of avoiding addition across the methallyl double bond.

The amount of hydrochloric acid or gaseous HC1 to be employed is not critical, so long as the amount is effective to reduce the initial amount of nitrosamine to a lesser amount. With hydrochloric acid, 0.04 gram per 100 grams of dinitroaniline has been found satisfactory. Similary, employing gaseous HC1, 250 ml. per 100 grams of dinitroanilines has been found satisfactory. Larger amounts (by 3x) have also worked satisfactorily but have provided no advantage. In laboratory scale reactions with gaseous HCI, addition rates of 5-90 ml./min.100 grams of dinitroanilines have been satisfactorily employed. Rates of 8-12 ml./min/100 grams of dinitroaniline are preferred.

The reaction can be conducted at temperatures over a wide range. In general, temperatures below 140 C. are employed, and temperatures below 100"C. are preferred because of the greater risk of side reactions at higher temperatures. When conducting the process in a solvent, satisfactory temperatures vary widely with the identity of the solvent, but generally range from room temperature to 1000C. When conducting the process neat, the reaction is conducted at temperatures above the melting temperature of the particular dinitroaniline. Good results have been achieved at temperatures of from 70 to 900 C. especially when conducting the process neat with trifluralin (m.p., 54--50C.), isopropalin (m.p., 300 C.), benefin (m.p., 65--6"C.). and ethalfluralin (m.p., 57--90C.).

The reaction can be conducted at atmospheric pressures or at elevated pressures. It has been found to be advantageous to conduct the reaction with gaseous HCI at 70--90"C., and with 1--10 psig, and preferably 3-5 psig, of HC1 gas pressure.

The presence of water in the nitrosamine-containing dinitroaniline has a deleterious effect on the present process. This is especially true when employing gaseous HCI in that more HCI is required for denitrosation. Therefore, when employing gaseous HCI, it is preferred that the nitrosamine-containing dinitroaniline be relatively dry, such as less than 0.2 percent of water.

The rate at which the present process proceeds will vary with the concentration of the nitrosamine, temperature, the form of HCI reagent, the rate of its addition, and other factors. The progress of nitrosamine removal can be monitored by gas chromatography or by TEA analysis. Denitrosation is generally complete in less than an hour. Time studies of the present process have shown an early drop in levels of nitrosamine, followed in some instances by a slight rise in levels of nitrosamine upon extended reaction time. It is believed that extended exposure of (1) the dinitroaniline and (2) the conjectured alkylamine denitrosation product, to the reaction conditions may result in further nitrosamine formation.

Therefore, minimizing reaction times is desirable.

Workup of the reaction mixture is carried out by conventional procedures.

The work up desirably takes the form of a water wash followed by a slightly basic wash to assure removal of traces of HCI. Provision should also be made, during the course of the present denitrosation process, for the removal of by-product gases.

One preferred process comprises (1) contacting molten trifluralin with gaseous HCI at 700 to 900 C. at 2-5 psig until the concentration of the nitrosamine has been reduced; and (2) thereafter recovering the trifluoralin.

Another preferred process comprises (1) contacting molten trifluralin with 38 HCI at 70" to 90"C. until the concentration of the nitrosamine has been reduced; and (2) thereafter recovering the trifluralin.

The following Examples illustrate the present invention and will enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention.

Unless otherwise noted, determination of nitrosamine concentration in the following Examples was done by a gas chromatographic method sensitive down to about 0.5 ppm. A "non-detectable" reading (reported below as "N.D.") was considered to represent less than about 0.5 ppm of nitrosamine. A Hewlett-Packard (Registered Trade Mark) Model 5711A gas chromatograph was used but the method can be carried out with any gas chromatograph apparatus equipped with a flame ionization detector. The column was a glass coil 4 ft.x 1/8 inch i.d., packed with 3% Carbowax (Registered Trade Mark) 20M on 100/120 mesh AW DMCS Chromosorb (Registered Trade Mark) G operated at 1000C. After the nitrosamine peak eluted, the column was heated to 230"C. and held there for about 15 minutes. The helium flow rate was 60 ml./min. A standard was employed of approximately the same concentration of the nitrosamine expected of the sample.

Both standard and sample were prepared in methylene chloride.

Those Examples utilizing TEA analysis are so indicated. Analyses by this method were carried out in essentially the same procedures as described at J.

Chromatogr. 109 (1975), 271. In the context of the present invention this method is considered to be sensitive to nitrosamine concentrations as low as 0.05 ppm. Where TEA analysis of the samples reported below showed no nitrosamine, it is reported as In Example 2, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method of analysis is reported. In this method, samples were dissolved in benzene and purified by alumina column chromatography using benzene as the eluting solvent. The nitrosamine content of the sample was measured on an LKB-9000 gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer equipped with a 5% Carbowax 20M column.

The column temperature was adjusted to 1300C. which resulted in a retention time of two minutes for nitrosodi-n-propylamine. It was detected by adjusting the magnet to the molecular ion (m/e=130) and displaying the resulting ion current on a strip chart recorder.

EXAMPLE 1: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, 20% Hydrochloric Acid, Ethanol Solvent Trifluralin (30 grams), containing 256 ppm. of nitrosamine, was mixed with 20 ml. of 20% hydrochloric acid and 5 ml. of ethanol. The mixture was heated to 90"C.

and maintained at that temperature, with stirring, for 3 hours. The layers were separated and the organic layer washed with 10 percent sodium bicarbonate. The product was analyzed for nitrosamine; none could be detected.

EXAMPLE 2: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, HCI Gas, Benzene Solvent Trifluralin (10 grams of a sample containing 480 ppm. of nitrosamine) was dissolved in 200 ml. of benzene and the solution stirred and heated to reflux (800 C.). HCI gas was passed into the refluxing solution continuously over a period of an hour. The reaction mixture was cooled slightly and washed twice, each time with an equal volume of water. The benzene layer was separated, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and filtered, and the benzene, was removed on a rotary evaporator. The resulting trifluralin was analyzed for nitrosamine content by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Analysis showed < I ppm of nitrosamine.

EXAMPLE 3: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, HC1 Gas Trifluralin (50 grams) was heated to 700 C. HC1 gas was bubbled through at a rate of 8-12 ml./min. Samples were taken at 0, 30, and 60 minutes. Each sample was washed with 10 percent sodium carbonate solution, dried, and analyzed for nitrosamine content. The results were as follows: time when nitrosamine sample taken concentration 0 32.6 ppm.

30 min. 2.9 ppm.

60 min. N.D.

EXAMPLE 4: Nitrosamine Removal from Benefin, 38% Hydrochloric Acid Benefin (15 grams), containing 130 ppm. of nitrosamine, was heated to 700C.

Concentrated (38%) hydrochloric acid (1.5 gram) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. The organic layer was separated and washed with a 10 sodium carbonate solution. The nitrosamine content of the resulting product was 17 ppm.

EXAMPLE 5: Nitrosamine Removal from Benefin, HCI Gas Benefin (25 grams), containing 130 ppm of nitrosamine, was heated to 700C.

HCI gas was bubbled through at a rate of 8-12 ml./min. Samples were taken at 10, 20, 30 minutes. Each sample was washed with 10 percent sodium carbonate solution and analyzed for nitrosamine content. The results were as follows: time when nitrosamine sample taken concentration 10 min. 65 ppm.

20 min. 38 ppm.

30 min. 14 ppm.

EXAMPLE 6: Nitrosamine Removal from Ethalfluralin, HCI Gas Ethalfuralin (100 grams) was heated to 700 C. HC1 gas was bubbled through at a rate of 90 ml./min. Samples were taken periodically. Each sample was washed with 2 ml. of 10% sodium carbonate solution, dried, and analyzed for nitrosamine content. The results were as follows: time when nitrosamine sample taken concentration 0 10.2ppm.

15 mien. N.D.

30 min. N.D.

1 hour N.D.

EXAMPLE 7: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, Faster Rate of Addition of HCI Gas Trifluralin (50 grams) was washed with water for 30 minutes, and air-dried for 30 minutes. It was then heated to 70"C. and HCI gas bubbled through at a rate of 35 ml./min. Samples were taken at 0, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. Each sample was washed with 10% sodium carbonate and analyzed for nitrosamine content. The results were as follows: time when nitrosamine sample taken concentration 0 9.3 ppm.

15 min. < 1 30 min. < 1 lhour < 1 EXAMPLE 8: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, HCI, Gas, Effect of Added H2O Trifluralin (100 grams) was heated to 70"C. and 0.5 ml. of water was added.

HCI gas was then bubbled in at a rate of 8 ml./min. Samples were taken periodically; each was washed with 10 percent sodium carbonate solution, dried, and analyzed for nitrosamine content. The results were as follows: time when nitrosamine sample taken concentration 0 27 ppm.

10 min. 14 ppm.

20 min. 6.8 ppm.

30 min. 3.2 ppm.

45 min. N.D.

EXAMPLE 9: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, HCI Gas Over Longer Time Trifluralin (100 grams) was heated to 700C. HCI gas was bubbled through at a rate of 8-12 ml./min. Samples were taken every 2 hours. Each sample was washed with 10% sodium carbonate solution, dried and analyzed for nitrosamine content.

The results were as follows: time when nitrosamine sample taken concentration 0 48 ppm.

2 hours N.D.

4 hours N.D.

6 hours N.D.

8 hours 1.3 ppm.

EXAMPLE 10: Nitrosamine Removal from Ethalfluralin, 38% Hydrochloric Acid Ethalfluralin (85 grams), containing 9 ppm. of nitrosamine by TEA analysis, was heated to 700C.; concentrated hydrochloric acid (38%; 15 grams) added, and the reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with 15 ml. of water. The layers were again separated and the organic layer washed with 15 ml. of 10% sodium carbonate solution and then with 15 ml. of water. The organic layer was dried at 1200C. for 15 minutes. A sample was analyzed by TEA; no nitrosamine was detected.

EXAMPLE 11: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, HCI Gas, Faster Rate of Addition Trifluralin (50 grams), containing 18 ppm. of nitrosamine, was heated to 70"C.

HCI gas was bubbled in at a rate of 90 ml./min. for 5 minutes. The trifluralin was then washed with 5 ml. of 10% sodium carbonate and dried. A sample analyzed for nitrosamine content showed none detectable.

EXAMPLE 12: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, 38 4 Hydrochloric Acid Over Longer Time Trifluralin (60 grams) was heated to 700 C. Concentrated hydrochloric acid (38%, 6 grams) was added and the reaction mixture stirred. Samples were taken at intervals and analyzed for nitrosamine content. The results were as follows: time when nitrosamine sample taken concentration 0 -l0ppm.

30 min. 1.4 ppm.

1 hour 1.5 ppm.

2 hours < 1 ppm.

3 1/2 hours 1.4 ppm.

4 hours 1.4 ppm.

EXAMPLE 13: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, HCI Gas at Higher Temperature Trifluralin (100 grams) was dried for 30 minutes at 120"C. with air blowing over the surface. HCI gas was then passed through at a rate of 12 ml./min. and a temperature of 85"C. Samples, each 10 grams, were taken at 20, 40, 60, and 90 minutes. Each sample was washed with 5 ml. of 5% sodium carbonate solution and dried on a rotary evaporator for 15 minutes at 90"C. Results were as follows: time when nitrosamine sample taken concentration 0 ll.lppm.

20 min. N.D.

40 min. N.D.

60 min. N.D.

90 min. N.D.

EXAMPLE 14: Nitrosamine Removal from Isopropalin, HC1 Gas and Elevated Pressure To I liter of a xylene solution of isopropalin (representing about 700 grams of isopropalin containing by TEA analysis 22 ppm. of nitrosamine) gaseous MCI was added to a pressure of 5 psig and at a temperature of 70"C. Samples were periodically withdrawn: each was washed with 50% by volume of a 5% sodium carbonate solution, the layers separated, and the organic layer dried for 10 minutes at 600 C. on a rotary evaporator. The results by TEA analyses were as follows: time when nitrosamine sample taken concentration 0 22 ppm.

30 min. .22ppm.

60 min. .19 ppm.

90 min. .4ppm.

120 min. .52 ppm.

2 hours, 30 min. .40 ppm.

3 hours .28 ppm.

3 hours, 30 min. .24 ppm.

EXAMPLE 15: Nitrosamine Removal from Ethalfluralin, HCI Gas Ethalfluralin (100 grams), containing 10.5 ppm. of nitrosamine, was heated to 70"C. and HCI gas was bubbled in at a rate of 8 ml./min. Samples were removed periodically and analyzed for nitrosamine content by the thermal energy analyzer.

Results were as follows: time when nitrosamine sample taken concentration 10 min. 10.9 ppm.

20 min. 6.6 ppm.

30 min. N.D.

40 min. N.D.

EXAMPLE 16: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, 38% Hydrochloric Acid Recycled Trifluralin (100 grams), containing 18 ppm. of nitrosamine, was heated to 70"C. and 20 grams of 38% hydrochloric acid was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 700 C. for 30 minutes. The layers were then separated. The organic layer was washed with 10 ml. of 10% sodium carbonate solution and analyzed for nitrosamine concentration. The acid layer was saturated with MCI gas and used in another nitrosamine reaction with another 100 grams of trifluralin, conducted under the same conditions as described above (the first recycle). Two more recycles of the acid were made. Results were as follows: Nitrosamine Sample Concentration control (starting trifluralin) 18 ppm.

first acid treatment N.D.

first recycle N.D.

second recycle N.D.

third recycle N.D.

EXAMPLE 17: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, HCI Gas and Elevated Pressure in Pilot Plant Run Trifluralin (210.0 kilograms) was melted overnight (about 20 hours) at 700C.

and charged into a 75 gallon glass-lined still. The trifluralin was then heated to 90"C. and HCI gas passed in under pressure. The reaction conditions were as follows: HCI Nitrosamine Time Temp. (C) psig Sample &num; Concentration 0 90" 0 &num;1 22 ppm.

8 min. 91 2.5 &num;2 3 ppm.

16 min. 90 2.5 &num;3 N.D.

22 min. 89 2.5 &num;4 N.D.

39 min. 90 2.5 &num;5 N.D.

65min. 90 2.5 &num;6 N.D.

71 min. 90 2.5 &num;7 N.D.

Thereafter the reaction mixture was neutralized with sodium carbonate and another sample taken; no nitrosamine could be detected.

Total HCI used was 0.38 kilogram.

EXAMPLE 18: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, HCI Gas, Ethanol Solvent HCI gas was bubbled (12 ml./min.) into a mixture of trifluralin (50 ml.) and ethanol (25 ml.) at 700 C. Samples were taken at 30 minutes and at 1 hour. Each sample was worked up by stripping on a rotary evaporator for 15 minutes at 30"C., and then washing with 5 ml. of 5 percent sodium carbonate solution. The layers were separated and the organic layer was stripped on a rotary evaporator for 15 minutes at 900 C. Results were as follows: time when nitrosamine sample taken concentration 0 44ppm.

30 min. 20 ppm.

60 min. 14 ppm.

EXAMPLE 19: Nitrosamine Removal from Trifluralin, Two Treatments with 38% Hydrochloric Acid Trifluralin (20 grams), containing 68 ppm. of nitrosamine, and 5 ml. of 380o hydrochloric acid were mixed and held with stirring at 700 C. for 20 minutes. The layers were then separated, and to the organic layer, another 5 ml. of 38 , hydrochloric acid were added. The reaction mixture was again maintained at 700 C.

for 20 minutes with stirring. The layers were separated and the organic layer washed with 10 ml. of 10% sodium carbonate. The product was analyzed for nitrosamine content. None was detectable by gas chromatography or TEA.

EXAMPLE 20: Nitrosamine Removal from Dinitramine, HCI Gas Dinitramine (10 grams of a sample containing 138 ppm of nitrosamine) was heated to about 110"C. and HC1 gas added at a rate of 35 ml./min. for 45 minutes.

After a 2 gram sample (labelled Sample 1) was removed, the hot remaining liquid was added slowly to 60 ml. of methylene chloride. 15 ml. of 10 percent sodium carbonate solution was added. The organic phase was separated and solvent removed from it on a rotary evaporator for 15 minutes at 45"C., yielding 8 grams of yellow solid (labelled Sample 2).

Each sample was analyzed for nitrosamine content by TEA. Results were as follows: Nitrosamine Sample Concentration < 0.2 2 < 0.2 WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A process which comprises (1) contacting a nitrosamine-containing dinitroaniline selected from trifluralin, isopropalin, benefin, ethalfluralin, butralin, tendimethalin, fluchloralin, profluralin, dinitramine, 4 - trifluromethyl - 2,6 - dinitro - 3 - chloro - N,N - diethylaniline, 4 - methyl - 2,6 - dinitro - N,N - bis(2 - chloroethyl)aniline, oryzalin, and nitralin, (a) in liquid phase (b) with 2030% hydrochloric acid or gaseous HC1 until the concentration of the nitrosamine has been reduced; and (2) thereafter recovering the dinitroaniline.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the dinitroaniline is selected from the trifluralin, isopropalin, benefin and ethalfluralin.

3. The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein the temperature is between room temperature and 140"C.

4. The process of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the temperature is from 70"C. to 90"C.

5. The process of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the molten dinitroaniline constitutes the liquid.

6. The process of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the process is conducted with a primary alcohol, ketone or aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon solvent.

7. The process of any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the reagent is 33 to 38% hydrochloric acid.

8. The process of any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the reagent is gaseous HCI.

9. The process of claim 8 wherein the gaseous HCI is under a pressure of 1--10

Claims (14)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   carbonate solution was added. The organic phase was separated and solvent removed from it on a rotary evaporator for 15 minutes at 45"C., yielding 8 grams of yellow solid (labelled Sample 2).

   Each sample was analyzed for nitrosamine content by TEA. Results were as follows: Nitrosamine Sample Concentration < 0.2

   2 < 0.2 WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A process which comprises (1) contacting a nitrosamine-containing dinitroaniline selected from trifluralin, isopropalin, benefin, ethalfluralin, butralin, tendimethalin, fluchloralin, profluralin, dinitramine, 4 - trifluromethyl - 2,6 - dinitro - 3 - chloro - N,N - diethylaniline, 4 - methyl - 2,6 - dinitro - N,N - bis(2 - chloroethyl)aniline, oryzalin, and nitralin, (a) in liquid phase (b) with 2030% hydrochloric acid or gaseous HC1 until the concentration of the nitrosamine has been reduced; and (2) thereafter recovering the dinitroaniline.
2. 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the dinitroaniline is selected from the trifluralin, isopropalin, benefin and ethalfluralin.
3. 3. The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein the temperature is between room temperature and 140"C.
4. 4. The process of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the temperature is from 70"C. to 90"C.
5. 5. The process of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the molten dinitroaniline constitutes the liquid.
6. 6. The process of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the process is conducted with a primary alcohol, ketone or aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon solvent.
7. 7. The process of any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the reagent is 33 to 38% hydrochloric acid.
8. 8. The process of any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the reagent is gaseous HCI.
9. 9. The process of claim 8 wherein the gaseous HCI is under a pressure of 1--10 psig.
10. 10. The process of claim 9 wherein the pressure is 3-5 psig.
11. 11. The process of any of claims 1 to 5 which comprises (I) contacting molten trifluralin with gaseous HCI at 700 to 900C. at 2-5 psig until the concentration of the nitrosamine has been reduced; and (2) thereafter recovering the trifluralin.
12. 12. The process of any of claims 1 to 5 which comprises (1) contacting molten trifluralin with 38% HCI at 700 to 90 C. until the concentration of the nitrosamine has been reduced; and (2) thereafter recovering the trifluralin.
13. 13. A process for reducing nitrosamine concentration and recovering the dinitroaniline as defined in claim I substantially as hereinbefore described in any of Examples 1 to 20.
14. 14. A dinitroaniline whenever treated by a process according to any one of

    claims I to 13.