Efficient Cu-ZnO/TiO2 Catalyst for Direct N-Methylation of N-Methylaniline with CO2 and H2

The preparation of methyl-substituted amines by direct N -methylation of amines with CO 2 /H 2 is an important reaction for CO 2 utilization and organic synthesis. However, the design and construction of effective and stable non-noble-metal catalysts for this reaction remain challenging. Here, a cheap non-noble-Cu-based catalyst was prepared and applied in the direct N -methylation reaction of N -methylaniline with CO 2 and H 2 . 5%Cu-ZnO(3.75%)/TiO 2 showed 98.8% yield with an initial TOF of 7.7 h –1 after 24 h under 453 K, 1.5 MPa CO 2, and 4.5 MPa H 2, which was superior to 5%Cu/TiO 2, 5%Cu/ZnO, and reported Cu-based catalysts. Furthermore, 5%Cu-ZnO(3.75%)/TiO 2 can be reused at least four times and applied to the direct N -methylation of various amines with excellent selectivity. The various characterizations and experimental results showed that Cu 0 was the active site, and 5%Cu-ZnO(3.75%)/TiO 2 exhibited the largest surface Cu 0 amount, thereby contributing to superior catalytic performance. The reaction mechanism of the direct N -methylation reaction of N -methylaniline with CO 2 and H 2 was proposed based on spectroscopic studies, kinetic studies, and control experiments. The reaction proceeded with the HCHO and N -methylformanilide intermediates, and the formation of HCHO from H 2 and CO 2 was the rate-determining step.