Nickel(II)–NΛNΛO Pincer Type Complex-Catalyzed N-alkylation of Amines with Alcohols via the Hydrogen Autotransfer Reaction

NNO Pincer-Supported Pd(II)-Catalyzed Reductive N-Alkylation of Challenging Nitroarenes with Alcohols via Borrowing Hydrogen Strategy

A sustainable catalytic synthesis of selective monoalkylated amines from nitroarenes and alcohols by new palladium(II)-NNO pincer-type complexes has been described. Herein, a series of Pd(II) complexes [Pd(NNO)PPh3] (1-3) are synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic (IR, NMR, and HR-MS) methods. The solid-state molecular structures of two complexes are established by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Furthermore, the catalytic N-alkylation of challenging nitroarenes with primary and secondary alcohols has been performed by the well-defined palladium(II) complexes via borrowing hydrogen strategy. The current protocol offers a wide range of monoalkylated amines (26 examples) with a maximum yield of 87% utilizing 1 mol % of catalyst loading. Gratifyingly, the catalytic system works well under mild reaction conditions and atom economy with water is the only byproduct. Furthermore, control experiments confirm the formation of probable intermediates (aniline, aldehyde, and imine), and deuterium labeling authenticates the borrowing hydrogen mechanism. A gram-scale synthesis of an alkylated product clearly demonstrates the synthetic efficacy of the present catalytic methodology.

N-Alkylation of amines with primary/secondary alcohols using a novel cobalt(II) inverse triazolyl-pyridine complex

Herein, we report a highly effective homogeneous methodology for the N-alkylation of amines with primary and secondary alcohols using a Co(II)-complex of an inverse triazolyl-pyridine ligand. The developed methodology tolerates various functional groups to produce the desired N-alkylated products in up to 98% yield. A number of control experiments establish that the developed methodology follows a hydrogen auto-transfer (HAT) pathway.

Selective N-Alkylation of Aminobenzenesulfonamides with Alcohols for the Synthesis of Amino-(N-alkyl)benzenesulfonamides Catalyzed by a Metal-Ligand Bifunctional Ruthenium Catalyst

[(p-Cymene)Ru(2,2'-bpyO)(H2O)] was proven to be an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of amino-(N-alkyl)benzenesulfonamides via selective N-alkylation of aminobenzenesulfonamides with alcohols. It was confirmed that functional groups in the bpy ligand are crucial for the activity of catalysts. Furthermore, the utilization of this catalytic system for the preparation of a biologically active compound was presented.

A sustainable strategic approach for N-alkylation of amines with activation of alcohols triggered via a hydrogen auto-transfer reaction using a Pd(II) complex: evidence for metal-ligand cooperativity

This work describes a new well-defined, air-stable, phosphine free palladium(II) [Pd(L)Cl] (1) catalyst. This catalyst was utilized for N-alkylation of amines and indole synthesis where H2O was found to be the by-product. A broad range of aromatic amines were alkylated using this homogeneous catalyst with a catalyst loading of 0.1 mol%. Greener aromatic and aliphatic primary alcohols were utilized and a hydrogen auto-transfer strategy via a metal-ligand cooperative approach was investigated. The precursor of the antihistamine-containing drug molecule tripelennamine was synthesized on a gram scale for large-scale applicability of the current synthetic methodology. A number of control experiments were performed to investigate the possible reaction pathway and the outcomes of these experiments indicated the azo-chromophore as a hydrogen reservoir during the catalytic cycle.

Nickel-Catalyzed α-Alkylation of Arylacetonitriles with Challenging Secondary Alcohols

Nickel(II) complex 1 was utilized as a sustainable catalyst for α-alkylation of arylacetonitriles with challenging secondary alcohols. Arylacetonitriles with a wide range of functional groups were tolerated, and various cyclic and acyclic secondary alcohols were utilized to yield a large number of α-alkylated products. The plausible mechanism involves the base-promoted activation of precatalyst 1 to an active catalyst 2 (dehydrochlorinated product) which activates the O-H and C-H bonds of the secondary alcohol in a dehydrogenative pathway.

Titanium-Catalyzed Selective N-Alkylation of Amines with Alcohols via Borrowing Hydrogen Methodology

The N-alkylation of amines with alcohols using earth-abundant and nonprecious metal catalysts has gained considerable attention in the pharmaceutical industry. We described titanium-catalyzed synthetic protocol for N-alkylation of amines with alcohols via borrowing hydrogen or hydrogen autotransfer reactions. The methodology enables the selective monoalkylation of various substituted (hetero)aromatic amines in good to excellent yields (up to 97% yield). The importance of the protocol was further demonstrated by the applicability of earth-abundant metal catalysis and the synthesis of 32 N-alkylated amines. The work allows the utilization of titanium-based catalysts for various reactions to expand the nature blueprint in catalysis.

Ligand effect of cyclometallated iridium(iii) complexes on N-alkylation of amines in hydrogen borrowing reactions

Dinuclear iridium complexes with the general formula (C^N)2Ir(μ-Cl)2Ir(C^N)2 (C^N = bidentate ligand with carbon and nitrogen donor atoms) were prepared and used in catalytic systems for N-alkylation of amines through the hydrogen borrowing pathway. Triphenylphosphine derivatives were used as auxiliary in catalytic systems to provide excellent conversion of amines to N-alkylation products in yields ranging from 57% to 100%. The catalytic ability of the catalyst depends on the structure of its coordination ligands, including bidentate ligands (C^N) and triphenylphosphine derivatives. These catalytic systems adopt an environmentally friendly and sustainable reaction process through a hydrogen self-transfer strategy, using readily available alcohols as alkylating agents without the need for bases, solvents, and other additives, showing potential in the synthetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Benzimidazol-2-ylidene ruthenium complexes for C-N bond formation through alcohol dehydrogenation

A low temperature hydrogen borrowing approach to generate secondary amines using benzimidazole-based N-heterocyclic carbene (BNHC) ruthenium complexes is reported. A series of the piano-stool complexes of the type [(η6-p-cymene)(BNHC)RuCl2] (1a-g) were synthesized via one-pot reaction of the NHC salt precursor, Ag2O, and [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and characterized using conventional spectroscopic techniques. The geometry of two precursors, [(η6-p-cymene)(Me4BnMe2BNHCCH2OxMe)RuCl2] (1f) and [(η6-p-cymene)(Me5BnMe2BNHCCH2OxMe)RuCl2] (1g), was studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These catalysts were found to dehydrogenate alcohols efficiently at temperatures as low as 50 °C to allow Schiff-base condensation and subsequent imine hydrogenation to afford secondary amines. Notably, this ruthenium-based procedure enables the N-alkylation of aromatic and heteroaromatic primary amines with a wide range of primary alcohols in excellent yields of up to 98%. The present methodology is green and water is liberated as the sole byproduct.

Synthesis and structure of Pd(II) pincer complexes: catalytic application in β-alkylation of secondary alcohols involving sequential dehydrogenation of alcohols via the borrowing hydrogen approach

Herein, we report an efficient and sustainable approach for the selective synthesis of ketones by palladium pincer catalyzed β-alkylation of secondary alcohols with aromatic primary alcohols via the borrowing hydrogen (BH) approach for the first time. A set of new Pd(II) ONO pincer complexes was synthesized and characterised by elemental analysis and spectral techniques (FT-IR, NMR and HRMS). The solid-state molecular structure of one the complexes was corroborated by X-ray crystallography. A range of α-alkylated ketone derivatives (25 examples) was obtained in excellent yields up to 95% through sequential dehydrogenative coupling of secondary and primary alcohols with 0.5 mol% catalyst loading with a substoichiometric amount of the base. Control experiment studies were carried out for the coupling reactions which revealed that the reaction involves an aldehyde, a ketone and chalcone intermediates, and eventually established the borrowing hydrogen strategy. Gratifyingly, this protocol is simple and atom economical, with water/hydrogen as byproducts. In addition, large-scale synthesis also demonstrated the synthetic usefulness of the present protocol.

N-Alkylation of Amines by C1-C10 Aliphatic Alcohols Using A Well-Defined Ru(II)-Catalyst. A Metal-Ligand Cooperative Approach

A Ru(II)-catalyzed efficient and selective N-alkylation of amines by C1-C10 aliphatic alcohols is reported. The catalyst [Ru(L^1a)(PPh₃)Cl₂] (1a) bearing a tridentate redox-active azo-aromatic pincer, 2-((4-chlorophenyl)diazenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (L^1a) is air-stable, easy to prepare, and showed wide functional group tolerance requiring only 1.0 mol % (for N-methylation and N-ethylation) and 0.1 mol % of catalyst loading for N-alkylation with C3-C10 alcohols. A wide array of N-methylated, N-ethylated, and N-alkylated amines were prepared in moderate to good yields via direct coupling of amines and alcohols. 1a efficiently catalyzes the N-alkylation of diamines selectively. It is even suitable for synthesizing N-alkylated diamines using (aliphatic) diols producing the tumor-active drug molecule MSX-122 in moderate yield. 1a showed excellent chemo-selectivity during the N-alkylation using oleyl alcohol and monoterpenoid β-citronellol. Control experiments and mechanistic investigations revealed that the 1a-catalyzed N-alkylation reactions proceed via a borrowing hydrogen transfer pathway where the hydrogen removed from the alcohol during the dehydrogenation step is stored in the ligand backbone of 1a, which in the subsequent steps transferred to the in situ formed imine intermediate to produce the N-alkylated amines.

Zn(II)-Catalyzed Selective N-Alkylation of Amines with Alcohols Using Redox Noninnocent Azo-Aromatic Ligand as Electron and Hydrogen Reservoir

We report a sustainable and eco-friendly approach for selective N-alkylation of various amines by alcohols, catalyzed by a well-defined Zn(II)-catalyst, Zn(L^a)Cl₂ (1a), bearing a tridentate arylazo scaffold. A total of 57 N-alkylated amines were prepared in good to excellent yields, out of which 17 examples are new. The Zn(II)-catalyst shows wide functional group tolerance, is compatible with the synthesis of dialkylated amines via double N-alkylation of diamines, and produces the precursors in high yields for the marketed drugs tripelennamine and thonzonium bromide in gram-scale reactions. Control reactions and DFT studies indicate that electron transfer events occur at the azo-chromophore throughout the catalytic process, which shuttles between neutral azo, one-electron reduced azo-anion radical, and two-electron reduced hydrazo forms acting both as electron and hydrogen reservoir, enabling the Zn(II)-catalyst for N-alkylation reaction.

Dehydrogenative Synthesis of Quinolines and Quinazolines via Ligand-Free Cobalt-Catalyzed Cyclization of 2-Aminoaryl Alcohols with Ketones or Nitriles

We present a convenient and efficient protocol to synthesize quinolines and quinazolines in one pot under mild conditions. A variety of substituted quinolines were synthesized in good to excellent yields (up to 97% yield) from the dehydrogenative cyclizations of 2-aminoaryl alcohols and ketones catalyzed by readily available Co(OAc)₂·4H₂O. This cobalt catalytic system also showed high activity in the reactions of 2-aminobenzyl alcohols with nitriles, affording various quinazoline derivatives (up to 95% yield). The present protocol offers an environmentally benign approach for the synthesis of N-heterocycles by employing an earth-abundant cobalt salt under ligand-free conditions.

Half-Sandwich Iridium Complexes with Hydrazone Ligands: Synthesis and Catalytic Activity in N-Alkylation of Anilines or Nitroarenes with Alcohols via Hydrogen Autotransfer

Here, we synthesize a series of hydrazone-based N,O-chelate half-sandwich iridium complexes through a facile route. All air-stable iridium complexes show high catalytic activity in N-alkylation of a broad scope of aniline derivatives and alcohols with liberating water as the sole byproduct. This reaction provides a smooth route to synthesize diverse monoalkylated amines in good to excellent yields at moderate temperature with a low catalyst loading. Moreover, the challenging N-alkylation process using nitroarene substrates as coupling partners is also carried out in this catalytic system. The mechanistic study shows that the present iridium catalysis process proceeds through a hydrogen borrowing mechanism. All iridium(III) complexes 1-4 are characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.

Four- and five-coordinate nickel(ii) complexes bearing new diphosphine-phosphonite and triphosphine-phosphite ligands: catalysts for N-alkylation of amines

The reaction of Ph2PCH2OH with PhPCl2 and PCl3 in the presence of Et3N afforded new phosphonite compounds PhP(OCH2PPh2)21 and P(OCH2PPh2)32, respectively. The reaction between 1 and [NiCl2(DME)] in dichloromethane gave the five-coordinate complex [NiCl2(1-κ3 P,P,P)] 3. Conversely, 1 reacts with [NiCl2(DME)] in the presence of NH4PF6 in dichloromethane to yield the four coordinate ionic complex [NiCl(1-κ3 P,P,P)][PF6] 4. The reactions between 1, [NiCl2(DME)] and KPF6 in the presence of RNC (R = Xylyl, t Bu and iPr) in dichloromethane yielded the five coordinate monocationic [NiCl(1-κ3 P,P,P)(RNC)][PF6] (R = Xylyl) and dicationic [Ni(1-κ3 P,P,P)(RNC)2][PF6]2 (R = t Bu and iPr) complexes, respectively. The analogous reaction of 2 with [NiCl2(DME)] in the presence of KPF6 gave complex [NiCl(2-κ4 P,P,P,P)][PF6], 8. The structures of all complexes were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies and supported by spectroscopic methods. To demonstrate their catalytic application, N-alkylation reactions between primary aryl amines, benzyl and 4-methoxy benzyl alcohols were found to proceed smoothly in the presence of 2.5 mol% of complexes bearing ligand 1 and <0.5 mmol of KOBu t in toluene at 140 °C. The C-N coupled products were formed in very good yields. Its substrate scope includes sterically encumbered, heterocyclic amines and aliphatic alcohol.

N-Alkylation of organonitrogen compounds catalyzed by methylene-linked bis-NHC half-sandwich ruthenium complexes

An efficient ruthenium-catalyzed N-alkylation of amines, amides and sulfonamides has been developed employing novel pentamethylcyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complexes bearing the methylene linked bis(NHC) ligand bis(3-methylimidazol-2-ylidene)methane. The acetonitrile complex 2 has proven particularly effective with a broad range of substrates with low catalyst loading (0.1-2.5 mol%) and high functional group tolerance under mild conditions. A total of 52 N-alkylated organonitrogen compounds including biologically relevant scaffolds were synthesized from (hetero)aromatic and aliphatic amines, amides and sulfonamides using alcohols or diols as alkylating agents in up to 99% isolated yield, even on gram-scale reactions. In the case of sulfonamides, it is the first example of N-alkylation employing a transition-metal complex bearing NHC ligands.

Solvent/metal-free benzimidazolium-based carboxyl-functionalized porphyrin photocatalysts for the room-temperature alkylation of amines under the irradiation of visible light

The improvement of novel sustainable catalytic methods for green chemical production is an emergent area in chemical science.

Coordinatively Unsaturated Hf-MOF-808 Prepared via Hydrothermal Synthesis as a Bifunctional Catalyst for the Tandem N-Alkylation of Amines with Benzyl Alcohol

The modulated hydrothermal (MHT) synthesis of an active and selective Hf-MOF-808 material for the N-alkylation reaction of aniline with benzyl alcohol under base-free mild reaction conditions is reported. Through kinetic experiments and isotopically labeled NMR spectroscopy studies, we have demonstrated that the reaction mechanism occurs via borrowing hydrogen (BH) pathway, in which the alcohol dehydrogenation is the limiting step. The high concentration of defective -OH groups generated on the metallic nodes through MHT synthesis enhances the alcohol activation, while the unsaturated Hf⁴⁺, which acts as a Lewis acid site, is able to borrow the hydrogen from the methylene position of benzyl alcohol. This fact makes this material at least 14 times more active for the N-alkylation reaction than the material obtained via solvothermal synthesis. The methodology described in this work could be applied to a wide range of aniline and benzyl alcohol derivates, showing in all cases high selectivity toward the corresponding N-benzylaniline product. Finally, Hf-MOF-808, which acts as a true heterogeneous catalyst, can be reused in at least four consecutive runs without any activity loss.

Regioselective Synthesis of 2° Amides Using Visible-Light-Induced Photoredox-Catalyzed Nonaqueous Oxidative C-N Cleavage of N,N-Dibenzylanilines

A visible-light-driven photoredox-catalyzed nonaqueous oxidative C-N cleavage of N,N-dibenzylanilines to 2° amides is reported. Further, we have applied this protocol on 2-(dibenzylamino)benzamide to afford quinazolinones with (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ as an additive. Mechanistic studies imply that the reaction might undergo in situ generation of α-amino radical to imine by C-N bond cleavage followed by the addition of superoxide ion to form amides.

Designed pincer ligand supported Co(II)-based catalysts for dehydrogenative activation of alcohols: Studies on N-alkylation of amines, α-alkylation of ketones and synthesis of quinolines

Base-metal catalysts Co1, Co2 and Co3 were synthesized from designed pincer ligands L1, L2 and L3 having NNN donor atoms respectively. Co1, Co2 and Co3 were characterized by IR, UV-Vis. and ESI-MS spectroscopic studies. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies were investigated to authenticate the molecular structures of Co1 and Co3. Catalysts Co1, Co2 and Co3 were utilized to study the dehydrogenative activation of alcohols for N-alkylation of amines, α-alkylation of ketones and synthesis of quinolines. Under optimized reaction conditions, a broad range of substrates including alcohols, anilines and ketones were exploited. A series of control experiments for N-alkylation of amines, α-alkylation of ketones and synthesis of quinolines were examined to understand the reaction pathway. ESI-MS spectral studies were investigated to characterize cobalt-alkoxide and cobalt-hydride intermediates. Reduction of styrene by evolved hydrogen gas during the reaction was investigated to authenticate the dehydrogenative nature of the catalysts. Probable reaction pathways were proposed for N-alkylation of amines, α-alkylation of ketones and synthesis of quinolines on the basis of control experiments and detection of reaction intermediates.

Direct N-alkylation of sulfur-containing amines

An efficient ruthenium-catalyzed method has been developed for the direct N-alkylation of sulfur-containing amines with alcohols, for the first time, by a step-economical and environmentally friendly hydrogen borrowing strategy. The present methodology features base-free conditions and broad substrate scope, with water being the only by-product. Moreover, this protocol has been applied to the synthesis of the pharmaceutical drug Quetiapine.

Recent advances in nickel-catalyzed C-C and C-N bond formation via HA and ADC reactions

In recent times, earth-abundant 3d-transition-metal catalysts have attracted much attention in contemporary catalysis. They have been widely employed as suitable alternatives to their counterparts noble metals. In particular, nickel catalysts provide distinctive redox properties; thus, their efficiency in sustainable organic transformations is manifold. In this review article, recent advances in nickel-catalyzed hydrogen auto-transfer (HA) and acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling (ADC) reactions for the construction of C-C and C-N bonds have been discussed.

[(PPh3)2NiCl2]-Catalyzed C-N Bond Formation Reaction via Borrowing Hydrogen Strategy: Access to Diverse Secondary Amines and Quinolines

Commercially available [(PPh₃)₂NiCl₂] was found to be an efficient catalyst for the mono-N-alkylation of (hetero)aromatic amines, employing alcohols to deliver diverse secondary amines, including the drug intermediates chloropyramine (5b) and mepyramine (5c), in excellent yields (up to 97%) via the borrowing hydrogen strategy. This method shows a superior activity (TON up to 10000) with a broad substrate scope at a low catalyst loading of 1 mol % and a short reaction time. Further, this strategy is also successful in accessing various quinoline derivatives following the acceptorless dehydrogenation pathway.

Ruthenium(II) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene-phosphine ligands for the N-alkylation of amines with alcohols

Metal hydride complexes are key intermediates for N-alkylation of amines with alcohols by the borrowing hydrogen/hydrogen autotransfer (BH/HA) strategy. Reactivity tuning of metal hydride complexes could adjust the dehydrogenation of alcohols and the hydrogenation of imines. Herein we report ruthenium(ii) complexes with hetero-bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-phosphine ligands, which realize smart pathway selection in the N-alkylated reaction via reactivity tuning of [Ru-H] species by hetero-bidentate ligands. In particular, complex 6cb with a phenyl wingtip group and BArF- counter anion, is shown to be one of the most efficient pre-catalysts for this transformation (temperature is as low as 70 °C, neat conditions and catalyst loading is as low as 0.25 mol%). A large variety of (hetero)aromatic amines and primary alcohols were efficiently converted into mono-N-alkylated amines in good to excellent isolated yields. Notably, aliphatic amines, challenging methanol and diamines could also be transformed into the desired products. Detailed control experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide insights to understand the mechanism and the smart pathway selection via [Ru-H] species in this process.

Recent advances in pincer-nickel catalyzed reactions

Organometallic catalysts have played a key role in accomplishing numerous synthetically valuable organic transformations that are either otherwise not possible or inefficient. The use of precious, sparse and toxic 4d and 5d metals are an apparent downside of several such catalytic systems despite their immense success over the last several decades. The use of complexes containing Earth-abundant, inexpensive and less hazardous 3d metals, such as nickel, as catalysts for organic transformations has been an emerging field in recent times. In particular, the versatile nature of the corresponding pincer-metal complexes, which offers great control of their reactivity via countless variations, has garnered great interest among organometallic chemists who are looking for greener and cheaper alternatives. In this context, the current review attempts to provide a glimpse of recent developments in the chemistry of pincer-nickel catalyzed reactions. Notably, there have been examples of pincer-nickel catalyzed reactions involving two electron changes via purely organometallic mechanisms that are strikingly similar to those observed with heavier Pd and Pt analogues. On the other hand, there have been distinct differences where the pincer-nickel complexes catalyze single-electron radical reactions. The applicability of pincer-nickel complexes in catalyzing cross-coupling reactions, oxidation reactions, (de)hydrogenation reactions, dehydrogenative coupling, hydrosilylation, hydroboration, C-H activation and carbon dioxide functionalization has been reviewed here from synthesis and mechanistic points of view. The flurry of global pincer-nickel related activities offer promising avenues in catalyzing synthetically valuable organic transformations.

Palladium(ii) N,N,O-pincer type complex-mediated dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols to quinazolines

A diverse range of quinazolines were synthesized in moderate to high yields using 0.5 mol% Pd(ii) catalyst loading under aerobic conditions.

Homogeneous Nickel-Catalyzed Sustainable Synthesis of Quinoline and Quinoxaline under Aerobic Conditions

Dehydrogenative coupling-based reactions have emerged as an efficient route toward the synthesis of a plethora of heterocyclic rings. Herein, we report an efficacious, nickel-catalyzed synthesis of two important heterocycles such as quinoline and quinoxaline. The catalyst is molecularly defined, is phosphine-free, and can operate at a mild reaction temperature of 80 °C. Both the heterocycles can be easily assembled via double dehydrogenative coupling, starting from 2-aminobenzyl alcohol/1-phenylethanol and diamine/diol, respectively, in a shorter span of reaction time. This environmentally benign synthetic protocol employing an inexpensive catalyst can rival many other transition-metal systems that have been developed for the fabrication of two putative heterocycles. Mechanistically, the dehydrogenation of secondary alcohol follows clean pseudo-first-order kinetics and exhibits a sizable kinetic isotope effect. Intriguingly, this catalyst provides an example of storing the trapped hydrogen in the ligand backbone, avoiding metal-hydride formation. Easy regeneration of the oxidized form of the catalyst under aerobic/O₂ oxidation makes this protocol eco-friendly and easy to handle.