| Abstract |
The hydrogenation of propionitrile on copper-lanthanide oxide catalysts (2Cu center dot CeO(2) and 4Cu center dot Ln(2)C(3) (Ln = La, Pr, Nd)) was studied in the gas phase. The activity of the catalysts varies with the lanthanide in the order 2Cu center dot CeO(2)> 4Cu center dot Pr(2)O(3)> 4Cu center dot La(2)O(3)>= 4Cu center dot Nd(2)O(3), while the activation energies varies in the opposite order, except for 2Cu center dot CeO(2). The main product was the primary amine, n-propylamine. The formation of the unstable imine CH(3)CH(2)N=CHCH(3) as a major product over 2Cu center dot CeO(2) seems to be consistent with the acidity of the catalyst. The catalysts were more selective than conventional copper impregnation catalysts, Cu (10 wt.\%) on SiO(2), La(2)O(3) or CeO(2), that produce significant quantities of the secondary amine. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. |
