Racemization of R-2-amino-1-butanol proceeded effectively over a fixed-bed Raney cobalt catalyst in a continuous fixed-bed reactor under the hydrogen pressure in the range of 2.0-6.0 MPa. The performance of a fixed-bed Raney cobalt catalyst was compared with that of a pulverous Raney cobalt catalyst. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), environment scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and N-2 adsorption measurement (BET). The activity and stability of the fixed-bed Raney cobalt catalyst and the effects of concentration, temperature and hydrogen pressure were examined. Racemic 2-amino-1-butanol was obtained with a total yield of over 76% under the optimum reaction conditions. Thus, an effective process for the racemization of R-2-amino-1-butanol has been established. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.