HYDROGENATION AND METHYLATION OF DODECYL NITRILE IN THE PRESENCE OF COPPER-CATALYSTS SUPPORTED ON ALUMINA .1. CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CATALYSTS

Mixed copper and chromium oxides supported on alumina were used in the catalytic synthesis of fatty amines from fatty nitriles (methylation reaction). Bimetallic catalysts ( [Cu/Cr]at=0.25, 0.8 and 3.5) were co mpared to monometallic catalysts. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to follow the evolution of the sample surface throughout the cat alytic process (freshly calcined, reduced, after use). These data, tog ether with data from temperature-programmed reduction, N2O decompositi on (for Cu0 specific area determination) and chemisorption-thermodesor ption of hydrogen and ammonia demonstrated the roles of copper and chr omium in the Cu(alpha)Cr(beta)O4 phase during the reduction and the us e of the catalysts.