Efficient synthesis of N-propyl aniline from aniline and 1-propanol over Cu/SiO2 catalyst

N-propyl aniline was efficiently synthesized in vapor phase from aniline and 1-propanol at atmospheric pressure over the Cu/SiO2 catalyst that was prepared by the incipient wetness method and temperature- programmed calcinations. The catalyst exhibited very high activity and selectivity. At the reaction temperature of 260 degrees C, 1-propanol conversion reached 100%, and the selectivity for N-propyl aniline exceeded 92%. The results of X-ray diffraction showed that the Cu/SiO2 catalyst with high catalytic activity and selectivity had good crystallinity of copper.