The rationalization of catalyst behaviour in the reductive amination of benzaldehyde with ammonia using a simple computer model Original Research Article

The reductive amination of benzaldehyde with NH3 in the presence of six different 5 wt.% Pd/C and a 5 wt.% Ru/C catalysts is examined. The catalytic activity is higher upon oxidative treatment of the carbon support. The selectivity to a particular amine appears to be a function of the degree of metal dispersion in the catalyst and of the nature of the metal. The activity and selectivity are not influenced by the method used for the oxidation of the support. They are not significantly affected either by the addition of Sn as a promoter.