Process for the preparation of amine oxides

The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of high quality amine oxides from secondary and tertiary aliphatic amines. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of amine oxides from secondary and tertiary aliphatic amines useful in the preparation of hair conditioners and shampoos, toothpaste, laundry detergent powder, fabric softeners, toilet soap bars and cosmetics, surfactants as well as in other applications as synthetic intermediates and excellent spin trapping reagents. The present invention provides a process for the preparation of high quality amine oxide by reacting a tertiary or secondary amine with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in presence of a recyclable heterogeneous layered double hydroxide exchanged with one of the anions of transition metal oxides as a catalyst in a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, water containing dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid sodium salt as additive, and a water miscible organic solvent.