PURPOSE: To produce the titled compound useful as a synthetic intermediate of dyes and agricultural chemicals, etc., economically, in an industrial scale, by reacting an aniline compound with an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol in the presence of a Ib-group metal catalyst supported on a silica-containing carrier.

CONSTITUTION: The aromatic secondary or tertiary amino compound of formula IIor III can be produced by reacting the aniline compound of formula I (X is H, halogen, alkoxy, etc.; Z is H, halogen or methyl; n is 1 or 2) with an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol of formula ROH (R is alkyl or phenyl) in the presence of Ib-group metal catalyst (e.g. copper, silver, etc.) supported on a carrier containing silica. The catalyst is easily handleable, and converts an aniline compound to N-alkyl or N-aryl derivative in high-yield without producing polymeric tarry substance and ethers. The ratio of the secondary amino compound can be increased by lowering the molar ratio of the alcohol to the aniline compound.