Enhanced Selectivity in the Hydrogenation of Anilines to Cyclo‐aliphatic Primary Amines over Lithium‐Modified Ru/CNT Catalysts

Abstract The hydrogenation of aromatic amines to the corresponding cycloaliphatic primary amines is an important industrial reaction. However, secondary amine formation and other side reactions are frequently observed, resulting in reduced selectivity. The side products are formed mostly on the support, yet support effects are little understood at present. This study describes the facile modification of Ru/CNT catalysts with LiOH, by this means significantly improving catalyst selectivity in toluidine hydrogenation without decreasing the activity of the catalysts. The effect is explained by LiOH diminishing acidic sites on the catalyst support and enhancing the adsorption of the aromatic ring on the metallic ruthenium nanoparticles. With the LiOH‐modified Ru/CNT catalyst, other substrates, such as methylnitrobenzenes, are also converted efficiently. This study thus describes an improved catalyst for the preparation of cyclohexylamines and provides guidelines for future catalyst design.