Synthesis of dimethylethylamine from ethylamine and methanol over phosphate catalysts

The amination of methanol with ethylamine is performed as a nucleophilic su bstitution over phosphate catalysts. The best results are obtained in the p resence of boron phosphate and are similar to those obtained according to t he conventional method, i.e. by the reductive amination on copper chromite. This paper discloses the study of the influence of the reaction parameters (temperature, molar ratio methanol:ethylamine, contact time, carrier gas) and the optimization of these parameters in the presence of zirconium phosp hate or boron phosphate. A comparison of different commercially available p hosphate catalysts is given. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.