Ammonia → 2-Cyclopentyl-6-methylcyclohexylamine

Reaction equation

[CH:1]1([C:6]2[CH:11]=[CH:10][CH:9]=[C:8]([CH3:12])[C:7]=2O)[CH2:5][CH2:4][CH2:3][CH2:2]1.[NH3:14].[O-2].[Pr+3].[O-2].[O-2].[Pr+3]>[Pd]>[CH:1]1([CH:6]2[CH2:11][CH2:10][CH2:9][CH:8]([CH3:12])[CH:7]2[NH2:14])[CH2:5][CH2:4][CH2:3][CH2:2]1

Participants

Procedure

In a 5 l stirred autoclave, a mixture of 485 g of 2-cyclopentyl-6-methylphenol and 551 g of ammonia is subjected to reductive amination in the presence of a powder catalyst containing 10% by weight of palladium and 5% by weight of praseodymium oxide on alumina at 230° C. and under a hydrogen pressure of 300 bar until the pressure remains constant. After the catalyst has been separated off, 484 g (95% yield) of crude 2-cyclopentyl-6-methylcyclohexylamine are obtained, and can be used without further purification in the next stage.