Synthesis of some aliphatic amines using TEA-CO2 laser

Abstract

This study presents a catalyst-free approach for the synthesis of high-purity aliphatic amines via laser-induced alkylation of ammonia using a TEA-CO₂ laser in an optoacoustic cell. Infrared multiphoton absorption (IRMPA) enables the activation of ammonia and alcohol molecules, leading to the formation of reactive radical intermediates. Mass spectrometric analysis confirmed the formation of eight types of primary amines with high selectivity. The laser-driven process effectively suppresses the formation of secondary, tertiary, and quaternary amines, resulting in the preferential production of monoamines. The observed reaction behavior demonstrates that product yield and selectivity strongly depend on molecular structure and absorption characteristics. This study highlights the potential of laser-assisted synthesis as a clean and efficient alternative to conventional catalytic methods.