Process for the preparation of N-methyl-dialkylamines from secondary dialkylamines and formaldehyde

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of N-methyl-dialkylamines by reacting secondary dialkylamines with formaldehyde at a temperature of 100 to 200 ° C., using 1.5 to 3 moles of formaldehyde per mole of secondary dialkylamine and degassing the reaction product obtained , the aqueous phase is separated off and the organic phase is distilled.