V. A. Bassili, A. Baiker
Oct 1, 1990
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0
Influential Citations
13
Citations
Journal
Applied Catalysis
Abstract
Abstract The amination of 1-methoxy-2-propanol (MPOL) by ammonia on a commercial nickel-on-silica catalyst has been studied in a continuous fixed bed reactor at atmospheric pressure. The main reaction product 2-amino-1-methoxypropane could be produced with a selectivity well over 90%. Major by-products were methoxyacetone and dialkylated compounds (N-(methoxy-2-propylidene)-1-methoxy-2-propylamine and N,N-di(1-methoxy-2-propyl)amine). At higher temperatures (190°C) the selectivity decreased due to the formation of compounds originating from the cleavage of the methoxy group (methanol, 2-propanol, acetone, 2-aminopropane, methylamines, methane). Excess ammonia (NH 3 :MPOL2) and longer space times favored the desired reaction and influenced the product distribution. In the partial pressure range investigated water and hydrogen had only little influence on the activity and selectivity of the amination. The reaction pathway was found to be similar to the one proposed earlier for the amination of aliphatic alcohols. In the absence of ammonia, the dehydrogenation of the reactant alcohol occurred as the main reaction. The catalyst exhibited a good long term behavior for both the amination and the dehydrogenation reaction. In the absence of hydrogen the catalyst deactivated but it regained its initial activity and selectivity when re-exposed to a hydrogen containing feed. When methoxyacetone was added to the feed, the catalyst deactivated irreversibly.