Abstract: A series of Ni-V/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared and used in the one-step synthesis of aniline from benzene, hydrogen peroxide, and aqueous ammonia and/or urea. It was found that both Ni/γ-Al2O3 and V/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were effective for the activation of C—H bond of benzene, and the co-existed Ni and V on γ-Al2O3 exhibited synergetic effects which promoted the formation of aniline. When the molar ratio of Ni to V was 5.5, the Ni-V/γ-Al2O3 catalyst showed the highest activity and selectivity for aniline. The highest selectivity to aniline obtained was 85%, which was far higher than that to the by-product phenol. The optimal conditions obtained in present work were as the following: reaction time, 2 h; reaction temperature, about 333 K. Urea was found to be one possible aminating agent for this one-step process in basic reaction media. The synergic effect between ammonia and urea under the conditions investigated was found favorable for the production of aniline.

Key words: Aniline, Aqueous ammonia, Hydrogen peroxide, Urea, Benzene