Abstract: A highly copper-catalysed amide exchange reaction of hexamethylenediamine (HDA) with CH3CN and H2O for the synthesis of hexamethylenebisacetamide (HMBA) without an organic solvent or gas protection was developed. 100% HDA conversion and >99% HMBA selectivity was obtained. X-ray diffraction, scanning emission microscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction of hydrogen were used to characterize the structural properties of the catalyst. The reaction mechanism was also investigated.

KeyWords Plus: ENTHALPIC INTERACTION COEFFICIENTS; HEXAMETHYLENE BISACETAMIDE; SUCROSE SOLUTIONS; VOLUMETRIC PROPERTIES; REFRACTIVE-INDEXES; AQUEOUS GLUCOSE; 298.15 K; N,N'-HEXAMETHYLENEBISACETAMIDE; DIFFERENTIATION; COMPLEXES

Published in RSC ADVANCES, 6 (47):40890-40894; 10.1039/c6ra05563j 2016