Comparative account of catalytic activity of Ru- and Ni-based nanocomposites towards reductive amination of biomass derived molecules

Abstract

• Reductive amination of bio-derived molecules with nanocomposites of MMT-K10 clay. • Effective comparison of ruthenium and nickel nanocomposites for reductive amination. • Comprehensive characterization data for both of the synthesized nanocomposites. • Industrial scope shown by reacting crude furfural extracted from xylose & biomass. • Gram scale run for reductive amination reported for the ruthenium nanocomposite. This work includes an effective comparison of metallic ruthenium and nickel nanoparticles loaded on montmorillonite clay (MMT) for reductive amination reaction of biomass-derived molecules. It comprises an eco-friendly reaction using water as a solvent, utilizing molecular hydrogen and liquor ammonia (25% aq. solution) for the synthesis of primary amines from bio-derived aldehydes within 3–10 h of reaction time. Various parameters such as temperature, hydrogen pressure, substrate/ammonia concentration ratio, and reaction time were optimized while comparing the selectivity of primary amines for both catalysts. The applicability scope of these catalysts was explored with a library of aryl and heterocyclic aldehydes. The reductive amination of crude furfural extracted from biomass feedstock (rice husk) and pure xylose sugar was tested, showing yields in the range of 11–36%, to show the wider industrial scope of both nanocomposites. Gram scale conversion was also carried out to showcase the bulk scalability of the Ru/MMT catalyst.