<i>N</i>-Alkyl amines are extensively applied in the
synthesis of functional materials, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides.
The reaction of diols with amines is attractive and has been investigated for more
than 30 years by using iridium, ruthenium, and other catalysts. However,
the main products with diols as starting materials, especially for
C<sub>4</sub>–C<sub>6</sub> diols, are N-heterocyclic compounds
because cyclization reaction is favorable in thermodynamics. Here,
for the first time, a simple and non-noble catalyst CuNiAlO<sub><i>x</i></sub> prepared by a coprecipitation method was developed
for the reaction of C<sub>4</sub>–C<sub>6</sub> diols with
amines to give monoamination products. This method offers an efficient
and environmentally friendly method for the selective monoamination
of diols
