The ammonolysis of waste 1,2-dichloropropane (DCP) using liquid ammonia has been investigated. The influence of temperature, molar ratio of NH3/1,2-dichloropropane and reaction time was examined. The highest yield of the synthesis was achieved at a temperature of 140degreesC, for the reaction time of 3 h and the molar ratio of NH3/1,2-dichloropropane as 20:1. Under these conditions the degree of 1,2-dichloropropane conversion amounted to 97.1 mol% and the selectivity of transformation to 1,2-diaminopropane (DAP) in relation to consumed 1,2-dichloropropane was 25.3 mol%, whereas in relation to consumed ammonia 17.9 mol%. The remaining 1,2-dichloropropane reacts to form polypropyleneamines. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.