A novel N-alkylation of amines by alkyl halides on mixed oxides at room temperature

Selective liquid phase N-alkylation of amines by alkyl halides using Al2O3–OK as a catalyst in the presence of acetonitrile at room temperature (30 °C) is described. The Al2O3–OK catalyst was characterized by XRD, SEM–EDXS, elemental analysis, particle size analysis, BET surface area, pore size and average pore diameter. The catalyst used for this synthetically useful transformation showed a considerable level of reusability as well as good activity.