To provide a method for producing the subject compound, by which the conversion of a tertiary amine is improved and the subject compound useful as a surfactant for a detergent, etc., is produced in high concentration by reacting the tertiary amine with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide in a specific solvent in the presence of a polybasic acid, etc.
(A) A tertiary amine of the formula [R1 is a 7-21C alkyl, etc.; R2 and R3 are each a 1-3C alkyl, etc.; (n) is 2-3], e.g. dodecylaminopropyldimethylamine is reacted with (B) an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide having 40-90 wt.% concentration in (C) a solvent selected from polyoxyalkylene ethers, organic esters, alcohols, etc., in the presence of (D) a polybasic acid having one or more hydroxy groups, such as citrie acid, or a salt thereof by using 10-60 wt.% component C and 0.1-5 wt.% component D based on the amount of the component A at 50-100°C to provide the objective compound such as dodecylaminopropyldimethylamine oxide in ≥45 wt.% concentration in the method for producing the alkanoylamidoalkylamine oxide.
Morishita, Mitsugi
Kawai, Takashi