Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts with different nickel loadings (4-27 wt%) were used for the synthesis of monoisopropylamine by the reductive amination of 2-propanol in the presence of hydrogen and ammonia. H-2-chemisorption analysis indicated that the highly reduced nickel metal surface area could be correlated with the enhancement of the 2-propanol conversion. During the reaction, the catalyst was progressively deactivated in the absence of hydrogen but its initial activity was completely recovered by re-exposure to the feed containing hydrogen. The deactivation was due to the formation of surface nickel nitride and excess hydrogen hindered the phase transition of the nickel metal to the corresponding nitride, ultimately preventing deactivation.