Study on Ni-Re-K/Al2O3 catalysts for synthesis of N,N′-di-sec-butyl p-phenylene diamine from p-nitroaniline and 2-butanone

Ni-Re-K/Al2O3 catalysts used in reductive alkylation of p-nitroaniline with 2-butanone were investigated by means of BET, XRD, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD and pyridine-FTIR techniques. The results showed that the reducibility and the number of surface Lewis acidic sites of the catalysts played a significant role in improving their activities and selectivities. 10Ni-1Re-1K/Al2O3 (γ-Al2O3 calcined at 1173 K) exhibited better reducibility and the proper amount of surface Lewis acidic sites, so it performed the highest selectivity towards N,N′-di-sec-butyl p-phenylene diamine among the catalysts.

Reductive alkylation of p-nitroaniline with 2-butanone was tested over Ni-Re-K/Al2O3 catalysts. The calcination temperature of the γ-Al2O3 support had an important influence on the textural and chemical properties of the catalysts. The characterization results showed that the number of surface Lewis acidic sites and the reducibility of Ni-Re-K/Al2O3 catalysts played a significant role in determining activities and selectivities of the catalysts. Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide