PROCESS FOR PREPARING 4-AMINODIPHENYLAMINE

The invention is directed to a method of producing 4-aminodiphenylamine or substituted derivatives thereof comprising the steps of bringing an aniline or aniline derivative and nitrobenzene derivative into reactive contact; and reacting the aniline and nitrobenzene in a confined zone at a suitable time and temperature, in the presence of a mixture comprising a strong base and a suitable phase transfer catalyst and an oxidant to produce a 4-aminodiphenylamine intermediate product. Alternatively, the mixture may comprise an inorganic salt or metal organic salt having a cation that would be a suitable cation of a strong inorganic base, and an oxidant and organic base, the mixture not including a reaction product of betaine and a strong inorganic base. The aminodiphenylamine intermediate product is reduced to produce 4-aminodiphenylamine or substituted derivatives thereof.