Technological aspects of the reductive amination of benzaldehyde with ammonia in the absence of solvents are discussed. The reaction kinetics in a slurry reactor was experimentally studied in order to maximize the yield of benzylamine. Effects of reaction conditions and type of solid catalyst on the content of undesirable by‐products were investigated. In particular, benzyl alcohol and trimers of benzylimine, namely, hydrobenzamide and 2,4,5‐triphenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazole, were found as significant by‐products. The formation of poorly soluble high‐boiling trimers of benzylimine was minimized by semi‐batch arrangement of the process with continuous addition of benzaldehyde into the load of benzylamine, ammonia, and Raney‐Ni catalyst. Some important features of benzaldehyde amination, which make it less advantageous for benzylamine production compared to the benzonitrile hydrogenation, are described.
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