One-pot synthesis of laurolactam from cyclododecene and air

Abstract

Laurolactam is an essential compound for the synthesis of polyamides and requires four separated steps for its industrial production, starting from cyclododecane. Here we show a one-pot synthesis of laurolactam from cyclododecene, without intermediate purifications, in 66% yield. If desired, the intermediate cyclododecanone oxime can also be isolated, and the procedure is applicable for the production of caprylolactam.