Amination of ethanolamine over cobalt modified H-ZSM-5 catalysts

The amination of ethanolamine (EA) with ammonia proceeded over a cobalt modified H-ZSM-5 under rather moderate conditions in a fixed-bed reactor. These catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, and infra-red spectroscopy. The reaction mechanism was also discussed, and Co0 is believed to be the active site of the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation process and the acid sites of H-ZSM-5 is thought to be the active site of the amination process. Thus, the synergetic effect of the cobalt and the acidic sites of H-ZSM-5 is necessary for the amination of ethanolamine.