Impact of solvent on Co/SiO2 activity and selectivity for the synthesis of n-butylamine from butyronitrile hydrogenation

The impact of solvent on Co(9.8%)/SiO₂ activity and selectivity for the synthesis of n-butylamine from butyronitrile hydrogenation was investigated using methanol, benzene, toluene and cyclohexane as solvents. In non-polar solvents, the yield of n-butylamine increased from 60% to 79% following the order cyclohexane < toluene < benzene. Nevertheless, the highest n-butylamine yield (91%) was obtained in methanol, a protic solvent. The solvent effect on the catalyst performance was interpreted by considering: i) the solvent–catalyst interaction strength and ii) the solvent polarity and its ability for H-bond formation with n-butylamine.