PREPARATION OF AROMATIC DIAMINE

PURPOSE:To prepare efficiently an aromatic diamine of high purity from an aromatic dihalide and ammonia, by extracting a reaction product, and crystallizing the extracted reaction product from a specific solvent. CONSTITUTION:An aromatic dihalide is reacted with ammonia in the presence of water and a copper compound catalyst, e.g. cuprous oxide, to give a reaction product, which is then extracted with an extractant, e.g. 3-6C alcohol or tetrahydrofuran. The extract is then distilled to remove the extractant, and the resultant bottoms are distilled under reduced pressure to give a distillate, which is crystallized from at least one solvent selected from alcohols, e.g. methanol, ethers, e.g. ethyl ether, hydrocarbons, e.g. pentane, and halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. chloroform, to afford the aimed aromatic diamine. EFFECT:Hardly colored even on preservation in air.