Amination of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone in the presence of ammonia and hydrogen using copper or a group VIII metal supported on a carrier as the catalyst

The gasphase amination of cyclohexanol and a 9:1 weight ratio mixture of cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone over a copper, nickel or a Group VIII metal (Ni, Pd, Ru, Ph, Pt) containing catalyst in a continuous fixed bed reactor was investigated. At temperatures up to 250 degrees C at atmospheric pressure cyclohexylamine was the main product (up to 93% selectivity); at higher temperatures mainly aniline was obtained (up to 96% selectivity). The selectivity was strongly influenced by mass transfer limitations. The reaction path and the rates were studied. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.