A process for the preparation of erucamide which comprises reacting ammonia with erucic acid at a temperature of 140??? C. to 190??? C. and at a pressure from atmospheric up to about 100 psi in the presence of an alkyltin catalyst of the formula RSn(OH)2 X where R is a C1-4 alkyl group and X is bromine or chlorine, said catalyst present in an amount from 0.25 to 4 wt. percent, based on the erucic