Abstract
The amination of alkyl alcohols is one of the most promising paths in synthesis of aliphatic amines. Herein, cerium doped nickel-based catalysts were synthesized and tested in a gas-phase amination of n-hexanol to n-hexylamine. It was found that the activity of the Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst is significantly improved by doping an appropriate amount of cerium. The presence of cerium effectively inhibits the agglomeration of nickel particle, resulting in better Ni dispersion. As Ni particle size plays critical role on the catalytic activity, higher turnover frequency of n-hexanol amination was achieved. Cerium doping also improves the reduction ability of nickel and enhances the interactions between Ni and the catalyst support. More weak acid sites were also found in those cerium doped catalysts, which promote another key step—ammonia dissociative adsorption in this reaction system. The overall synergy of Ni nanoparticles and acid sites of this Ni–Ce/γ-Al2O3 catalyst boosts its superior catalytic performance in the amination of n-hexanol.
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