Impact of solvent on Co/SiO2 activity and selectivity for the synthesis of n-butylamine from butyronitrile hydrogenation

•n-Butylamine formation from butyronitrile on Co/SiO2 depends on the solvent nature.•The butylamine production increases with solvent–catalyst interaction strength.•In protic alcohols the solvent–butylamine interaction controls the amine yield.

The impact of solvent on Co(9.8%)/SiO2 activity and selectivity for the synthesis of n-butylamine from butyronitrile hydrogenation was investigated using methanol, benzene, toluene and cyclohexane as solvents. In non-polar solvents, the yield of n-butylamine increased from 60% to 79% following the order cyclohexane < toluene < benzene. Nevertheless, the highest n-butylamine yield (91%) was obtained in methanol, a protic solvent. The solvent effect on the catalyst performance was interpreted by considering: i) the solvent–catalyst interaction strength and ii) the solvent polarity and its ability for H-bond formation with n-butylamine.

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