GB924656A - Process for the production of oximes of cyclic ketones - Google Patents

Abstract

Oximes of cyclic ketones containing at least nine carbon atoms in the ring, e.g. cyclododecanone oxime, are produced by reacting the ketone with a hydroxylamine salt, e.g. the sulphate or chloride, at temperatures above room temperature in an aqueous medium having a pH value of 3 to 8 in the presence of a dissolved emulsifier or solid insoluble emulsifier. Emulsifiers specified are pentaoxyethyl coconut oil amine, tetrapropylene benzene sulphonate or its sodium salt, fatty alcohol sulphonates, the reaction product of 1 mol of coconut oil alcohol with 15 to 25 mols of ethylene oxide, barium sulphate, calcium phosphate and barium or calcium silicates. The emulsifiers are conveniently used in a concentration of 0.05 to 5%. The concentration of the hydroxylamine salt solution generally lies between 0.5 and 30% and a slight excess of the theoretical quantity is preferably used. The oximation is preferably carried out between the melting point of the cyclic ketone and 134 DEG C. more especially between 80 DEG C. and 100 DEG C. The aqueous medium may also contain, besides water, an organic solvent miscible with water, e.g. MeOH. The ketone may be used dissolved in a solvent, preferably a solvent immiscible with water, e.g. benzene or gasoline. Examples are furnished.