Aromatic amines from alkali metal amide aminating agent and aromatic

This invention pertains to a process for preparing mononuclear aromatic amines by reacting an alkali metal amide with a mononuclear aromatic compound, e.g., benzene and toluene. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a metallic hydrogenation catalyst, suitably copper, nickel, rhodium or cobalt, the metal being present in an amount sufficient for catalyzing the reaction. The amine then is formed by adding a protonating agent to the resulting reaction product formed by the reaction of the alkali metal amide with the aromatic compound. The addition of the protonating agent liberates the amine.