Ortho-alkylated aromatic amines via gamma alumina catalyst

摘要

This invention relates to a process for producing ring alkylated aromatic amines. In the process an aromatic amine is reacted with an olefin using gamma alumina as a catalyst. Under the conditions of the process the catalyst is extremely active and with amines that are capable of alkylation at the ortho and para positions, high selectivity to the ortho alkylated isomer can be achieved. The catalyst is also effective for producing unsymmetrical disubstituted alkyl aromatic amines, e.g., ethyl or propyl toluidine where one ortho position is substituted with a methyl group and the other substituted with an ethyl or propyl group.