X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction Studies on Deactivation of Barium Promoted Copper Chromium Oxide Catalyst Used in the Synthesis of N-Isopropylaniline

R. B. C. Pillai

Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras – 600 036 (India)

N-Isopropylaniline was synthesised by reductive alkylation of aniline with acetone in the presence of hydrogen and copper chromite at 140°C and 50 Kg/cm2 pressure. The rapid deactivation of the catalyst is the major problem encountered in this process. The surface of the catalyst was poisoned by nitrogenous organic compounds and the active species of the catalyst (Cu+) got reduced to Cu° state during the reaction under the influence of hydrogen at high pressure are the major causes for the deactivation. A study on the activity and deactivation of barium promoted copper chromite in reductive alkylation process is reported in this article.

XPS; XRD N-isopropylaniline; copper chromite; reductive alkylation