i once read that a dialkylamine was produced from passing an ether over alumina with ammonia at an elevated temperature. the reaction would probably be thermodynamically favorable but the mechanics of such a reaction confuse me. is this reaction known, regarding reaction conditions and is it general for ethers.
In my opinion, it would probably be an SN2 reaction. The high temperatures and the catalysts are needed due to alkoxides being so terribly bad leaving groups.