A NOVEL TECHNIQUE FOR THE PREPARATION OF SECONDARY FATTY AMIDES .3. ALKANOLAMIDES, DIAMIDES AND ARALKYLAMIDES

A low-temperature synthesis of fatty alkanolamides, fatty diamides and fatty aralkylamides directly from triglycerides and primary amines pr ovides essentially quantitative yields of the various products. The re actions run to completion in 3-12 h at temperatures of 50-60 degrees C , approximately 100 degrees C lower than employed in present conventio nal practice. The amines are used in excess and serve as solvent, reag ent and, perhaps, as catalyst. The amides were characterized by meltin g point and spectroscopic (infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance) me thods. If the mixed amides produced from the various natural triglycer ide mixtures of fats and oils are acceptable products, this synthetic method provides these products in satisfactory quality while conservin g energy and avoiding the intermediate production of free fatty acids or their esters.