Method for preparing an organic amine

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for preparing a complex of an organic amine and lactic acid in a reactor, characterized in that a water-miscible organic amine is brought into contact with magnesium lactate in an aqueous medium in the reactor to form the complex and precipitated magnesium hydroxide, after which the magnesium hydroxide is separated from the complex.

Description

Claims

1. A method for preparing a complex of an organic amine and lactic acid in a reactor, characterized in that a water-miscible organic amine is brought into contact with magnesium lactate in an aqueous medium in the reactor to form the complex and precipitated magnesium hydroxide, after which the magnesium hydroxide is separated from the complex.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the amine has a pKa>9, preferably pKa>10.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the amine is a trialkylamine.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the amine is at least one of trimethylamine and triethyl-amine.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the aqueous medium is water.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the magnesium lactate is obtained by fermenting a carbohydrate at pH 5-7 by adding at least one of magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, and magnesium carbonate.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the separated magnesium hydroxide is recycled to the fermentation.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the complex is cleaved into lactic acid and the water-miscible organic amine.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the complex is cleaved by heating.

10. The method according to claim 8 wherein the water-miscible organic amine as obtained after cleavage of the complex is recycled to the reactor.