C-N bond hydrogenolysis of aniline and cyclohexylamine over TaOx-Al2O3

TaOx grafted onto Al2O3 is investigated for C-N bond cleavage of amines under H-2 pressure. Heteroaromatics such as aniline are stoichiometrically denitrogenated at high temperature, while cyclohexylamine is catalytically denitrogenated. UV-visible and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate the formation of a stable Ta-N species in the former case.