The present invention discloses a process for preparing
4-aminodiphenylamine, which process uses nitrobenzene and aniline as raw
materials, a complex base catalyst as condensation catalyst and a powdery
composite catalyst as hydrogenation catalyst, and comprises five process
stages: condensation; separation I; hydrogenation; separation II; and
refining. The process can be continuously carried out. By selecting a
complex base catalyst to catalyze the condensation reaction and
separating it prior to the hydrogenation, the problem that the complex
base catalysts thermally decompose in the hydrogenation reaction is
avoided, the selectable range of hydrogenation catalysts is largely
enlarged so that it is possible to select cheaper hydrogenation catalyst,
and the selection of production process and equipment is easier and
further industrialization is easier. The complex base catalysts used in
the present invention are inexpensive and have higher catalytic activity.
The process can be carried out at mild conditions and can adapt to broad
range of water content, by-product is less and conversion and selectivity
are higher. The operational strength is low, no corrosive liquid is
produced, and environment pollution is reduced. The purity of
4-aminodiphenylamine prepared can exceed 99 wt.-%, and the yield in the
industrial production process can be over 95%.