Cr and Co-modified Cu/AlO as an efficient catalyst for the continuous synthesis of bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl)ether

A series of transition metal-doped Cu-based Al 2 O 3 catalysts were prepared by a coprecipitation-kneading method, and applied in the continuous synthesis of bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl)ether (BDMAEE) via amination of diethylene glycol (DEG) with dimethylamine (DMA), in which Cu-Cr-Co/Al 2 O 3 exhibits desirable catalytic performance toward BDMAEE. Multiple characterization methods including XRD, TEM, H 2 -TPR, N 2 O chemisorption, XPS, NH 3 -TPD, and FTIR of adsorbed pyridine were employed to investigate the structure-activity relationship. Compared with Cu/Al 2 O 3 , co-doping Cr and Co into Cu/Al 2 O 3 can promote the dispersion of Cu nanoparticles and regulate the acidity of the catalyst. Therefore, superior Cu dispersion facilitates the amination of alcohols with DMA, and the appropriate acidity of the catalyst promotes its catalytic selectivity towards BDMAEE, resulting in desirable yields. Moreover, Cu-Cr-Co/Al 2 O 3 exhibits good stability. This work provides a promising way for the continuous industrial production of BDMAEE and its derivatives via catalytic amination of alcohols. A series of transition metal-doped Cu-based Al 2 O 3 catalysts were prepared by a coprecipitation-kneading method, in which Cu-Cr-Co/Al 2 O 3 shows desirable catalytic toward continuous amination of diethylene glycol with dimethylamine to bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl)ether.