SYNTHESIS OF N-METHYLANILINE AND N,N-DIMETHYLANILINE WITH METHANOL OVER ALUMINA CATALYST

Alumina catalysts prepared by different methods were used for the synthesis of N-methylaniline and N,N-dimethylaniline from aniline and methanol. Al2O3 catalysts prepared from isopropoxide and nitrate showed high activity and JRC-ALO-1 and JRC-ALO-3 supplied by the Catalysis Society of Japan showed low activity. The highest selectivity for N,N-dimethylaniline was 82.8% with 90.1% aniline conversion. The catalytic activity of Al2O3 was not poisoned by pyridine and CO2.