Methyl-DL-alpha -aminobutyrate was hydrogenated in methanol at 105 atm hydrogen partial pressure and 170 degreesC temperature over copper chromite catalyst in a high pressure autoclave to obtain 2-amino-1-butanol. Under best suitable reaction conditions, 100% selectivity was obtained at an ester conversion of 39%. Different important process parameters like temperature, catalyst loading, catalyst reusability, initial concentration, speed of agitation, and hydrogen partial pressure were studied. The reaction was found to be a first order reaction on the starting ester under the reaction conditions.