Abstract: Vapor-phase catalytic synthesis of 1-phenylazepane from aniline and 1,6-hexanediol over CoO/SiO₂-Al₂O₃ catalyst was investigated and the catalyst samples were characterized by N₂ adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction, H₂ temperature-programmed reduction, and NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption. The results indicated that the CoO/SiO₂-Al₂O₃ catalyst showed higher activity and selectivity. When CoO loading was 0.3 mmol/g and the catalyst precursor was calcined at 700 °C (2.8 °C/min) for 4 h followed by reduction in situ at 325 °C for 2 h in the mixture gas of 50% H₂-50% N₂ (60 ml/min) before reaction, the yield of 1-phenylazepane could be up to 80%. The catalyst with larger specific surface area, higher dispersion of the active component, and weaker acidity favored the synthesis of the target product.

Key words: cobaltous oxide, silica, alumina, supported catalyst, 1-phenylazepane, aniline, 1,6-hexanediol