It seems like a much higher catalyst load is needed when MDA is synthesized, compared to MDMA. When MDMA is the desired product, the catalyst load is a lot less:
When we tought time ago about a similar rxn to this one, we thought as well in making MDMA. We added a bit of aq methylamine and formic acid to methanol, and then a bit of Pd/C and we observed a clear decomposition of the formate, so we tried the rxn with aq methylamine and formic acid and TLC was very good, then we make a test with 3 gr:
3 gr of ketone, 4.4 ml of 40% methylamine, 2.4 ml of 98% formic acid in 30 ml of methanol, 300 mg of 10% Pd/C stirred 48 hours, 83% yield.