US Patent 9663443 Process for making tertiary aminoalcohol compounds

A process for making a tertiary aminoalcohol compound is disclosed. The process comprises using an excess amount of a carbonyl compound in a condensation step between the carbonyl compound and a nitroalkane in the presence of a catalytic amount of a tertiary aminoalcohol compound, and conducting a hydrogenation/alkylation step to produce the tertiary aminoalcohol. The tertiary aminoalcohol compound used to catalyze the condensation step is preferably the same tertiary aminoalcohol compound produced in the hydrogenation/alkylation step. The process uses fewer steps than conventional processes.