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 Original Research Article

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, Rh, Pt) containing catalyst in a continuous fixed bed reactor was investigated. At temperatures up to 250°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.