The hydrogenation of propionitrile on copper-lanthanide oxide catalysts (2Cu center dot CeO2 and 4Cu center dot Ln(2)C(3) (Ln = La, Pr, Nd)) was studied in the gas phase. The activity of the catalysts varies with the lanthanide in the order 2Cu center dot CeO2 > 4Cu center dot Pr2O3 > 4Cu center dot La2O3 >= 4Cu center dot Nd2O3, while the activation energies varies in the opposite order, except for 2Cu center dot CeO2. The main product was the primary amine, n-propylamine. The formation of the unstable imine CH3CH2N=CHCH3 as a major product over 2Cu center dot CeO2 seems to be consistent with the acidity of the catalyst. The catalysts were more selective than conventional copper impregnation catalysts, Cu (10 wt.%) on SiO2, La2O3 or CeO2, that produce significant quantities of the secondary amine. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.