Heterogeneous Catalytic Reductive Amination of Carbonyl Compounds with Ni-Al Alloy in Water as Solvent and Hydrogen Source

The heterogeneous catalytic reductive amination of carbonyl compounds has been achieved by reactions of ammonium hydroxide and various amines with ketones and aldehydes. The process is based on the application of Raney type Ni-Al alloy in an aqueous medium. The reaction of the carbonyl compounds with the amine provided the corresponding Schiff bases that immediately underwent a reduction to provide primary and secondary amines as products. The controlled reaction of the Al content of the alloy with the solvent water generates hydrogen, and the in situ formed Raney Ni (R) serves as a hydrogenation catalyst. The method is a simple and efficient way of preparing a broad variety of primary and secondary amines.