A process for producing aliphatic amines which comprises reacting an aliphatic alcohol or an aliphatic aldehyde with an aminating agent selected from the group consisting of ammonia, a primary amine and a secondary amine in the liquid phase in the presence of an unsupported catalyst consisting essentially of (1) copper oxide or copper hydroxide and (2) a Group II A metal oxide or hydroxide. In a preferred embodiment the catalyst system also contains an organo nickel compound.