Preparation of N-alkyl-arylamines

Preparation of an N-alkyl-arylamine of the formula in which Ar represents an aryl radical which is optionally monosubstituted or polysubstituted by at least one of halogen and in each case optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy or alkoxycarbonyl, R1 represents hydrogen or alkyl and R2 represents in each case optionally substituted alkyl or aryl, or, together with R1, represents alkanediyl, by reacting a nitroarene of the formula Ar-NO2 (II) with a carbonyl compound of the formula R1-CO-R2 (III) in the presence of hydrogen and in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature between 0 DEG C. and 200 DEG C. Preparation of an N-alkyl-arylamine of the formulal which is optionally monosubstituted or polysubstituted by at least one of halogen and in each case optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy or alkoxycarbonyl, R1 represents hydrogen or alkyl and R2 represents in each case optionally substituted alkyl or aryl, or, together with R1, represents alkanediyl, by reacting a nitroarene of the formula Ar-NO2 (II) with a carbonyl compound of the formula R1-CO-R2 (III) in the presence of hydrogen and in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature between 0 DEG C. and 200 DEG C.