Catalyst and process for the synthesis of piperidine via reductive amination from biomass derivative δ-valerolactone

Abstract

Piperidine (PIP) is an important nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound used extensively in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and rubber additives. Conventional synthesis routes often require energy-intensive conditions or noble metal catalysts, posing environmental and economic challenges. This work presents a sustainable chemical process for PIP production, starting from biomass-derived δ-valerolactone. The key reductive amination step employs a bimetallic Ni-Co core-shell catalyst (L7.5-meso-Ni7Co3@Al₂O₃-0.2), prepared via a continuous-flow method. Under optimized conditions, a 100 % conversion of 4-cyanobutanal (4-CB) was achieved with 63.8 % selectivity for PIP. Catalyst synergy between Ni and Co enhanced activity while reducing reliance on noble metals. This study demonstrates a scalable strategy for sustainable PIP production, aligning with green chemistry principles by employing renewable feedstocks, minimizing waste, and achieving high efficiency under mild conditions.