PROCESS FOR HYDROGENATING AN AROMATIC AMINE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SUPPORTED RUTHENIUM CATALYST

摘要

The invention relates to a process for hydrogenating an aromatic amine that has at least one amino group bound to an aromatic nucleus with hydrogen in the presence of a supported catalyst that contains ruthenium as active metal. The catalyst support of the catalyst to be used according to the invention has a BET surface area in the range from greater than 30 m2/g to less than 70 m2/g and more than 50% of the pore volume of the catalyst support is formed by macropores having a pore diameter of greater than 50 nm and less than 50% are mesopores having a pore diameter of 2 to 50 nm. The process is suitable in particular for hydrogenating methylenedianiline to form bis(p-aminocyclohexyl)methane having a trans-trans isomeric component of 15 - 25%.