A process for preparing ethyldimethylamine and triethylamine

The present invention describes a method for the preparation of ethyldimethylamine and triethylamine comprising the steps of: DOLLAR A (i) reacting a mixture of diethylamine and dimethylamine with ethylene in the presence of a catalyst from the group of Alkalimetalldimethylamide, Alkalimetalldiethylamide and alkali metal hydrides DOLLAR A (ii) separating DOLLAR A of the catalyst (iii) distillative separation of the resulting mixture in triethylamine and ethyldimethylamine and optionally diethylamine and dimethylamine DOLLAR A (iv) optionally recycling the catalyst and the Eduktamine in the reaction. DOLLAR A The process of the invention permits the combined production of ethyldimethylamine and diethylamine in a simple process.