Abstract
An attempt was made to synthesize .ε-caprolactam directly from cyclohexanoneand a primary nitroparaffin, the latter being used as a source of hydroxylamine. When nitromethane, nitroethane, or nitropropane was treated with sulfuric acid in a molar ratio of 1:5 at 125-130°C, hydroxylamine sulfate was formed in a yield above 90%. The reaction mixture thus prepared was then treated with cyclohexanone at 120-125°C. Oxime formation and the Beckmann rearrangement proceeded smoothly, and .ε-caprolactam was obtained in a good yield.
