Benzene with ammonia, direct amination

Much research has been carried out into direct amination of aromatic substrates, typified by the direct conversion of benzene to aniline using ammonia and a catalyst. Although there have been many patented routes conversions, are normally low, making them uneconomic. Modem catalysts based on rhodium and iridium, together with nickel oxide (which becomes reduced), have proved more active,and such is the research activity in this area that it is only a matter of time before such processes become widely used. 

Hu C, Zhu L, Xia Y (2007) Direct amination of benzene to aniline by aqueous ammonia and hydrogen peroxide over V-Ni/Al203 catalyst with catalytic distillation. Ind Eng Chem Res... 

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