Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2012, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (4): 717-722.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1088.2012.11105

• Research papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Heterogeneous Bimetallic Pt-Sn/γ-Al2O3 Catalyzed N-Alkylation of Amines: Efficient Synthesis of Secondary and Tertiary Amines

HE Wei, HE Songbo, SUN Chenglin, WU Kaikai, WANG Liandi, YU Zhengkun*   

  1. Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, Liaoning, China
  • Received:2011-11-07 Revised:2011-11-28 Online:2012-04-13 Published:2015-09-09

Abstract: N-Alkylation of amines with alcohols through a borrowing hydrogen strategy is a green route to amines. Heterogeneous bimetallic Pt-Sn/γ-Al2O3 catalyzed the reactions of primary (secondary) amines with alcohols in the absence of external hydrogen source, efficiently affording secondary (tertiary) amines with water and a small amount of imines as the by-products. Various functional groups in the substrates were tolerated in the catalytic system. The Pt-Sn/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was easily recycled, suggesting its potential application in the production of secondary and tertiary amines.

Key words: platinum, tin, alumina, supported catalyst, borrowing hydrogen, heterogeneous catalysis, N-alkylation, amine, alcohol