Selective N-Methylation of Aniline to N-Methylaniline with CO2 and H2 by CeO2-supported Cu Sub-nanoparticle Catalyst

CeO2-supported Cu (Cu/CeO2) acted as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for N-methylation of aniline with CO2 and H2, showing higher selectivity to N-methylaniline, mono-N-methylated aniline, than other catalysts tested. Cu sub-nanoparticles are the main active species, and the CeO2 support plays an important role in suppression of over-N-methylation of N-methylaniline to N,N-dimethylaniline.