Preparation of amines by reductive amination using zeolite catalyst

A process for the preparation of an amine of the formula ##STR7## wherein:

• n is an integer of from 3 to 7 and the alkylene chain --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- is optionally substituted once or twice by methyl, or when n is 4, said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by an oxygen atom to form a morpholine ring, and
• R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 -cycloalkyl, C.sub.4 -C.sub.20 -alkylcycloalkyl, C.sub.4 -C.sub.20 -cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.20 -alkylaryl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.20 -aralkyl or a heterocyclic radical which has an aromatic or nonaromatic heterocyclic structure with one to three nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atoms,
• which process comprises:
• reacting a ketone of the formula ##STR8## with a cyclic amine of the formula ##STR9## wherein n and the alkylene chain --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- have the above meanings, in the presence of a zeolite of SiO.sub.2 having a zeolite structure or a phosphate or a phosphate having a zeolite structure as a catalyst, at a temperature of from 50.degree. to 500.degree. C. and under a pressure of from 0.01 to 50 bar.