In amination of 1-octanol the opportunity to get directly the amine via a nucleophilic substitution reaction over metal phosphate catalysts (i.e. zirconium, cerium or boron phosphates), or zeolites has been investigated. Thereby, the dehydration of octanol is in competition with the amination. In comparison the reductive amination on copper chromite and nickel oxide on silica or alumina as carrier was checked, too. Thereby, complete conversion, as well as almost 100% selectivity to a mixture of 1-octylamine and octane nitrile are achieved.