The present invention relates to process for separating p-phenylenediamine from a mixture containing o-phenylenediamine, aminobiphenyls and diphenylamine by means of distillation coupled with crystallization, wherein the distillation system consists of two divided wall columns and the crystallization comprises at least one stage suspension-based melt crystallization. A liquid fraction enriched in p-phenylenediamine obtained as the side-draw of the first divided wall column is sent to the subsequent suspension-based melt crystallization to produce substantially pure p-phenylenediamine. The overhead product of the first divided wall column is fed to the second divided wall column to produce highly pure o-phenylenediamine withdrawn from the side-draw of the second divided wall column.

The invention provides a method for synthesizing a compound of formula ##STR00001##
wherein each R independently represents an optionally substituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, perfluoroalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyl, carboxyl, hydroxyl, halogen, amino, nitro, cyano, sulfo or sulfhydryl group, in ortho, meta or para position to the cycloalkylamine moiety; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen group, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, perfluoroalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy group; Y represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a NH group, a NR.sup.4 group or a CH.sub.2 group; R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, aryl or a heteroaryl group; and n and m each independently represents an integer from 1 to 5; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or a precursor thereof; wherein the method comprises one or more of the following steps: (a) reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein R, R.sup.3, Y, n and m are as defined above in relation to the compound of formula (I) with an oxygenating agent, a first additive and a second additive in a solvent in a fluidic network or in a batch process under thermal and/or photochemical conditions to form a compound of formula (III): ##STR00003##
wherein R, R.sup.3, Y, n and m are as defined above in relation to the compound of formula (I), (b) reacting a compound of formula (III) with a nitrogen containing nucleophile in the presence of a third additive and/or a solvent in the fluidic network or in a batch process under thermal conditions to form a compound of formula (IV): ##STR00004##
wherein R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, Y, n and m are as defined above in relation to the compound of formula (I); and/or (c) reacting a compound of formula (IV) in a fluidic network or in a batch process, optionally in the presence of a fourth additive, under thermal conditions to form a compound of formula (I); wherein one or more of steps (a), (b) and/or (c) is carried out in a fluidic network that comprises micro- and/or meso-channels having an internal dimension of from 100 μm to 2000 μm.

The invention provides a method for synthesizing a compound of formula ##STR00001##
wherein each R independently represents an optionally substituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, perfluoroalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyl, carboxyl, hydroxyl, halogen, amino, nitro, cyano, sulfo or sulfhydryl group, in ortho, meta or para position to the cycloalkylamine moiety; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen group, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, perfluoroalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy group; Y represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a NH group, a NR.sup.4 group or a CH.sub.2 group; R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, aryl or a heteroaryl group; and n and m each independently represents an integer from 1 to 5; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or a precursor thereof; wherein the method comprises one or more of the following steps: (a) reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein R, R.sup.3, Y, n and m are as defined above in relation to the compound of formula (I) with an oxygenating agent, a first additive and a second additive in a solvent in a fluidic network or in a batch process under thermal and/or photochemical conditions to form a compound of formula (III): ##STR00003##
wherein R, R.sup.3, Y, n and m are as defined above in relation to the compound of formula (I), (b) reacting a compound of formula (III) with a nitrogen containing nucleophile in the presence of a third additive and/or a solvent in the fluidic network or in a batch process under thermal conditions to form a compound of formula (IV): ##STR00004##
wherein R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, Y, n and m are as defined above in relation to the compound of formula (I); and/or (c) reacting a compound of formula (IV) in a fluidic network or in a batch process, optionally in the presence of a fourth additive, under thermal conditions to form a compound of formula (I); wherein one or more of steps (a), (b) and/or (c) is carried out in a fluidic network that comprises micro- and/or meso-channels having an internal dimension of from 100 μm to 2000 μm.

Ethylenediamine (EDA) compositions and methods for making the EDA that is suitable for use in thin-film semiconductor processing applications, are disclosed. The EDA is purified to remove water and trace metals. Water levels below about 50 ppm by weight are achieved by passing liquid through 3A type molecular sieve in a packed bed. Metallic impurities are removed by distillation and the resulting product is packaged in specially dried and optionally pre-conditioned containers.

Ethylenediamine (EDA) compositions and methods for making the EDA that is suitable for use in thin-film semiconductor processing applications, are disclosed. The EDA is purified to remove water and trace metals. Water levels below about 50 ppm by weight are achieved by passing liquid through 3A type molecular sieve in a packed bed. Metallic impurities are removed by distillation and the resulting product is packaged in specially dried and optionally pre-conditioned containers.

Ethylenediamine (EDA) compositions and methods for making the EDA that is suitable for use in thin-film semiconductor processing applications, are disclosed. The EDA is purified to remove water and trace metals. Water levels below about 50 ppm by weight are achieved by passing liquid through 3A type molecular sieve in a packed bed. Metallic impurities are removed by distillation and the resulting product is packaged in specially dried and optionally pre-conditioned containers.

A method is provided for collecting a compound of formula (III) (in which R31 is a monovalent to trivalent organic group and n31 is an integer of 1 to 3) from a liquid phase component that is formed as a by-product in a method for producing a compound of general formula (I) (in which R11 is a monovalent to trivalent organic group and n 11 is an integer of 1 to 3), wherein the collection method contains steps (1) to (3) or steps (A) and (B), and step (4). Step (1): a step for reacting the liquid phase component with at least one active hydrogen-containing compound in a reactor. Step (2): a step for returning a condensed liquid obtained by cooling gas phase components in the reactor to the reactor. Step (3): a step for discharging gas phase components that are not condensed in the step (2) to the outside of the reactor. Step (A): a step for mixing the liquid phase component, water, and a compound of general formula (III). Step (B): a step for reacting the liquid phase component with water inside the reactor. Step (4): a step for discharging, as a liquid phase component inside the reactor, the reaction liquid containing the compound of general formula (III) to the outside of the reactor.

R.sup.11NCO).sub.n11  (I)

R.sup.31NH.sub.2).sub.n31  (III)

A method is provided for collecting a compound of formula (III) (in which R31 is a monovalent to trivalent organic group and n31 is an integer of 1 to 3) from a liquid phase component that is formed as a by-product in a method for producing a compound of general formula (I) (in which R11 is a monovalent to trivalent organic group and n 11 is an integer of 1 to 3), wherein the collection method contains steps (1) to (3) or steps (A) and (B), and step (4). Step (1): a step for reacting the liquid phase component with at least one active hydrogen-containing compound in a reactor. Step (2): a step for returning a condensed liquid obtained by cooling gas phase components in the reactor to the reactor. Step (3): a step for discharging gas phase components that are not condensed in the step (2) to the outside of the reactor. Step (A): a step for mixing the liquid phase component, water, and a compound of general formula (III). Step (B): a step for reacting the liquid phase component with water inside the reactor. Step (4): a step for discharging, as a liquid phase component inside the reactor, the reaction liquid containing the compound of general formula (III) to the outside of the reactor.

R.sup.11NCO).sub.n11  (I)

R.sup.31NH.sub.2).sub.n31  (III)

A method is provided for collecting a compound of formula (III) (in which R31 is a monovalent to trivalent organic group and n31 is an integer of 1 to 3) from a liquid phase component that is formed as a by-product in a method for producing a compound of general formula (I) (in which R11 is a monovalent to trivalent organic group and n 11 is an integer of 1 to 3), wherein the collection method contains steps (1) to (3) or steps (A) and (B), and step (4). Step (1): a step for reacting the liquid phase component with at least one active hydrogen-containing compound in a reactor. Step (2): a step for returning a condensed liquid obtained by cooling gas phase components in the reactor to the reactor. Step (3): a step for discharging gas phase components that are not condensed in the step (2) to the outside of the reactor. Step (A): a step for mixing the liquid phase component, water, and a compound of general formula (III). Step (B): a step for reacting the liquid phase component with water inside the reactor. Step (4): a step for discharging, as a liquid phase component inside the reactor, the reaction liquid containing the compound of general formula (III) to the outside of the reactor.

R.sup.11NCO).sub.n11  (I)

R.sup.31NH.sub.2).sub.n31  (III)

A process to convert the cyclic monourea of ethylene amine compounds (U-EA) into ethylene amine compound (EA) is provided. The process may include performing a reactive separation step using a reaction mixture containing the cyclic monourea, wherein one cyclic monourea (U-EA) reacts with another cyclic monourea (U-EA) to transfer its urea unit thereto. The process may further include separating the obtained ethylene amine compound (EA) without urea unit from the reaction mixture.