Catalytic reaction of amines using metallic polyphosphate condensation catalyst having condensed structure

PURPOSE: To obtain higher polyalkylene-polyamines with desirable acyclic/cyclic and linear/branched selectivities of the products, by condensing an amino compound in the presence of a polyphosphoric acid metal salt. CONSTITUTION: An amino compound (e.g. alkyleneamine, ammonia in combination with an alcohol) is condensed at 225-325°C under a pressure of 200-2000 psig in the presence of a metallic catalyst selected from metallic salts of pyrophosphate, polyphosphate, metaphosphate, ultraphosphate, metaphosphimate, phosphoramidate, amidophosphate, imidophosphate and their mixtures, thereby to give a higher polyalkylene polyamine such as TETA, TEPA, PEHA, etc. Addition of a metal oxide to the catalyst enhances catalyst selectivity of the products, catalyst activity and/or catalyst stability (mechanical strength, resistance to deformation). COPYRIGHT: (C)1991,JPO