Akzo Nobel N.v.

Christian Blaufelder

Manfred F Bergfeld

Ludwig Eisenhuth

Axel Carstens

Klaus Ihrig

Reinhard Broucek

The invention relates to a process for preparing betaines of formula (I) wherein R represents a C -C hydrocarbon group, and R and R independently represent a C -C hydrocarbon group, comprising reacting an aqueous solution of an ethoxylated quaternay ammonium compound of formula (II) wherein R , R , and R have the same meaning as described above and X represents a suitable anion, with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas under alkaline conditions in the presence of a supported and promoted Pt catalyst at a temperature ranging from room temperature to 70&deg; C. Preferably, use is made of a Pt/Bi/C catalyst. The invention process is particularly suitable for converting choline chloride into betaine, which is used as an animal feed

Process for preparing betaines

A process is described for the production of N,N,N&prime;,N&prime;-tetra-(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylene diamine in a solvent, in which ethylene diamine is reacted selectively with ethylene oxide in the absence of water in one or more saturated C,-C,alcohols at a temperature from 120 to 220&deg; C. and at a pressure from 2 to 60 bar in a molar ratio of 1:4, with a high yield. The conversion is preferably carried out in isopropanol, isomeric C,-C,alcohol mixtures, C,alcohol mixtures or C,alcohol mixtures at a temperature from 140 to 180&deg; C.

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Wuppertal, Germany

Christian Blaufelder