Gas-phase hydrogenation of propionitrile on copper-lanthanide oxides

The hydrogenation of propionitrile on copper-lanthanide oxide catalysts (2Cu·CeO2 and 4Cu·Ln2O3 (Ln = La, Pr, Nd)) was studied in the gas phase. The activity of the catalysts varies with the lanthanide in the order 2Cu·CeO2 > 4Cu·Pr2O3 > 4Cu·La2O3 ≥ 4Cu·Nd2O3, while the activation energies varies in the opposite order, except for 2Cu·CeO2. The main product was the primary amine, n-propylamine. The formation of the unstable imine CH3CH2NCHCH3 as a major product over 2Cu·CeO2 seems to be consistent with the acidity of the catalyst. The catalysts were more selective than conventional copper impregnation catalysts, Cu (10 wt.%) on SiO2, La2O3 or CeO2, that produce significant quantities of the secondary amine.

Graphical abstractCopper-lanthanide oxide catalysts {2Cu·CeO2 and 4Cu·Ln2O3 (Ln = La, Pr, Nd)} were active and selective for the gas-phase hydrogenation of propionitrile. The main product was the primary amine, n-propylamine. The catalysts were more selective than conventional copper impregnation catalysts, Cu (10 wt.%) on SiO2, La2O3 or CeO2, that produce significant quantities of dipropylamine.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide