SYNTHESIS OF SECONDARY-AMINES BY REDUCTIVE ALKYLATION USING COPPER CHROMITE CATALYST - STERIC EFFECT OF CARBONYL-COMPOUNDS

The steric effect was studied from the synthesis of various aromatic secondary amines by reductive alkylation of aniline with carbonyl compounds over copper chromite. Different aliphatic secondary amines were also prepared by reductive alkylation of methylamine and ethanolamine with carbonyl compounds over copper chromite catalyst. Almost 100% selectivity was observed in all cases. Under optimum conditions of reaction the yield of N-isopropylaniline was 91% and that of N-benzylethanolamine was 94%. The reactivity is decreased with increase in steric hindrance at the carbonyl carbon.