METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF N-METHYLANILINE Russian patent published in 2006 - IPC C07C209/36 C07C211/48 

FIELD: organic chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: claimed method includes reduction alkylation of nitrobenzene or mixture thereof with aniline using methanol in gaseous phase on oxide copper-chromium catalyst. Said reduction alkylation is carried out in mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide in molar ratio approximately of 3:1, obtained by gaseous phase methanol condensation with water. Preferably hydrogen and carbon dioxide mixture is obtained in separate contact apparatus from 20-90 % aqueous methanol on oxide copper-iron-chromium catalysts followed by or without separation of methanole and water vapors. Amount of hydrogen and carbon dioxide mixture feeding to alkylation must be sufficient to provide hydrogen/nitrobenzene ratio in limits of 4-6 mol to 1 mol of nitrobenzene. Nitrobenzene/aniline mol ratio is from 0.1-1.0 to 2:1.0; and amount of methanol feeding to alkylation is 0.5-1.5 mol to 1 mol of nitrobenzene or mixture thereof with aniline. Off-gases may be recycled.

EFFECT: method for production of N-methylaniline with improved efficiency.

6 cl, 2 tbl, 7 ex