Supported catalysts for amination

In a process for the amination of alcohols to form primary amines which comprises reacting a polyoxyalkylene alcohol or polyol having a molecular weight of from 230 to 5000 with ammonia in the presence of hydrogen the improvement comprising accomplishing the reaction at a temperature of 100.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. and a pressure of 300 psi to 5000 psi in the presence of a catalyst composition consisting essentially of:

• .theta.-alumina on which there has been deposited nickel and copper in the form of nitrate hydrates at a temperature of 60.degree. C. to 80.degree. C., drying the catalyst overnight at 110.degree. C. to 130.degree. C., repeating said depositing and drying steps, and calcining said catalyst for 3-5 hours at 380.degree.-420.degree. C., forming supported metal oxides, wherein the total active metal loading is 10-40 wt % of the catalyst as metal and at least 50 wt % of the total catalyst is .theta.-alumina, resulting in a metal loading of 15-30 wt % nickel, 3-20 wt % copper and, optionally, 0.5-1 wt % molybdenum.