Process for rearrangement of alkyl groups on aromatic amines

摘要

Methyl groups on N-methyl aromatic amines are redistributed to ring positions by heating in contact with an aluminum anilide catalyst and a nickel, cobalt, molybdenum or titanium-containing cocatalyst. For example, N-methyl-o-toluidine forms a mixture containing substantial quantities of 2,6-dimethylaniline, 2,4-dimethylaniline, and 2,4,6-trimethylaniline.