Electrode catalyst and method for producing amine compound

A method for producing an amine compound using an electrochemical cell including an anode and a cathode, the method comprising steps of:

• supplying water or steam to the anode;
• supplying an α-keto acid and a hydroxylamine to the cathode;
• and
• applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode,
• wherein on the anode, the water is decomposed to generate protons which reach the cathode;
• on the cathode, a reductive amination reaction, in which the α-keto acid and the hydroxylamine are used as raw materials, occurs;
• the amine compound is an amino acid;
• the cathode comprises an electrode catalyst in which a metal oxide is supported on an electrode support composed of a conductive substance;
• the conductive substance comprises one or more metals selected from the group consisting of a transition metal and a metal in Groups 12 to 14, or a carbon-based material;
• the metal oxide supported on the electrode support is an oxide of a metal having the same element as the metal comprised in the conductive substance;
• and
• fine particles of a metal oxide wherein the metal is titanium or a metal comprising titanium are further supported on the metal oxide supported on the electrode support.