Nickel-rhenium catalyst for use in reductive amination processes

摘要

A nickel/rhenium catalyst composition for the reductive amination of lower aliphatic alkane derivatives is described. The catalyst includes from about 2 to about 75 weight percent nickel and has a nickel to rhenium weight percent ratio of from about 1:1 to about 200:1. The nickel and rhenium are supported on an alumina-silica support which contains from about 5 to about 65 weight percent silica and has a BET surface area of from about 30 to about 450 m2/g. A process for the reductive amination of lower aliphatic alkane derivatives using such a catalyst composition is also provided.