N-H activation of amines and ammonia by Ru via metal-ligand cooperation

A nonoxidative addition pathway for the activation of NH bonds of ammonia and amines by a Ru(II) complex is reported. The pincer complex 1 cleaves N-H bonds via metal-ligand cooperation involving aromatization of the pincer ligand without a change in the formal oxidation state of the metal. Electron-rich N-H bond substrates lead to reversible activation, while electron-poor substrates result in stable activation products. Isotopic labeling studies using ND(3) as well as density functional theory calculations were used to shed light on the N-H activation mechanism.

α-Functionalization of non-activated aliphatic amines: ruthenium-catalyzed alkynylations and alkylations

Catalytic α-alkylations and -alkynylations of non-activated aliphatic amines with silylated alkynes proceed selectively in the presence of the Shvo catalyst.

Selective N-monoalkylation of aromatic amines with benzylic alcohols by a hydrogen autotransfer process catalyzed by unmodified magnetite

A new catalyst for an old material: magnetite is a good catalyst for the selective N-alkylation of aromatic amines using benzylic alcohols as electrophiles. The process could be repeated up to eight times without losing effectiveness. The catalyst recycling is very easy, using a simple magnet. The catalyst is selective and could discriminate between aromatic and aliphatic amines, as well as between benzylic and aliphatic alcohols, as the reactions only take place with aromatic amines and benzylic alcohols.

Ruthenium-catalyzed selective monoamination of vicinal diols

The monoamination of vicinal diols in the presence of in situ generated ruthenium catalysts has been investigated. Among the various phosphines tested in combination with [Ru(3)(CO)(12)], N-phenyl-2-(dicyclohexyl-phosphanyl)pyrrole showed the best performance. After optimization of the reaction conditions this system was applied to different secondary amines and anilines as well as a number of vicinal diols. With the exception of ethylene glycol, monoamination of the vicinal diols occurred selectively and the corresponding amino alcohols were obtained in good yields, producing water as the only side product.