Methylation of Amines and Ketones with Methanol Catalyzed by an Iridium Complex Bearing a 2-Hydroxypyridylmethylene Fragment

Selective Conversion of Glycerol to Lactic Acid in Water via Acceptorless Dehydrogenation Catalyzed by a Water-Soluble Metal-Ligand Bifunctional Iridium Catalyst

An efficient method for the selective conversion of glycerol, the major byproduct of the biodiesel manufacturing process, to lactic acid in water via acceptorless dehydrogenation has been developed. In the presence of a water-soluble [Cp*Ir(6,6'-(OH)2-2,2'-bpy)(H2O)][OTf]2 (0.1 mol %) and KOH (1.1 equiv), the reaction proceeded at 120 °C for 24 h to afford the desired product in >99% yield with >99% selectivity. It was confirmed that OH functional groups in the ligand were crucial for the activity of the iridium complex. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations and mechanistic experiments were also undertaken.

Ruthenium Complexes with NNN-Pincer Ligands for N-Methylation of Amines Using Methanol

A series of ruthenium complexes (Ru1-Ru4) bearing new NNN-pincer ligands were synthesized in 58-78% yields. All of the complexes are air and moisture stable and were characterized by IR, NMR, and high-resolution mass spectra (HRMS). In addition, the structures of Ru1-Ru3 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. These Ru(II) complexes exhibited high catalytic efficiency and broad functional group tolerance in the N-methylation reaction of amines using CH3OH as both the C1 source and solvent. Experimental results indicated that the electronic effect of the substituents on the ligands considerably affects the catalytic reactivity of the complexes in which Ru3 bearing an electron-donating OMe group showed the highest activity. Deuterium labeling and control experiments suggested that the dehydrogenation of methanol to generate ruthenium hydride species was the rate-determining step in the reaction. Furthermore, this protocol also provided a ready approach to versatile trideuterated N-methylamines under mild conditions using CD3OD as a deuterated methylating agent.

A Guide for Mono-Selective N-Methylation, N-Ethylation, and N-n-Propylation of Primary Amines, Amides, and Sulfonamides and Their Applicability in Late-Stage Modification

This review provides a comprehensive overview of mono-alkylation methodologies targeting crucial nitrogen moieties - amines, amides, and sulfonamides - found in organic building blocks and pharmaceuticals. Emphasizing the intersection of chemical precision with drug discovery, the central challenge addressed is achieving one-pot mono-selective short-chain N-alkylations (methylations, ethylations, and n-propylations), preventing undesired overalkylation. Additionally, sustainable, safe, and benign alternatives to traditional alkylating agents, including alcohols, carbon dioxide, carboxylic acids, nitriles, alkyl phosphates, quaternary ammonium salts, and alkyl carbonates, are explored. This review, categorized by the nature of the alkylating agent, aids researchers in selecting suitable methods for mono-selective N-alkylation.

Half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with acylhydrazone ligands: synthesis and catalytic activity in the N-alkylation of hydrazides

Novel half-sandwich ruthenium complexes termed [(p-cymene)RuClL] were synthesized by chelating arylhydrazone ligands with [(p-cymene)RuCl2]2 and were then fully characterized using different spectroscopic and analytical techniques. The crystal structure of complex 4 indicated that the hydrazone ligands bonded to the ruthenium ion in a bidentate manner through the imine nitrogen and imidazolate oxygen, exhibiting a pseudo-octahedral geometry centered by the ruthenium atom. The as-fabricated air and moisture stable half-sandwich ruthenium complexes demonstrated excellent catalytic activity towards the N-alkylation of hydrazides under mild conditions. Under the catalysis of ruthenium complexes, acyl hydrazides were reacted with different types of alcohols in a one-pot reaction, resulting in N-alkylation hydrazides with different substituents. This catalyst exhibited characteristics such as high catalytic efficiency, broad substrate scope, and mild reaction conditions, indicating that it has great potential for industrial applications.

Discovery of N-methylbenzo[d]oxazol-2-amine as new anthelmintic agent through scalable protocol for the synthesis of N-alkylbenzo[d]oxazol-2-amine and N-alkylbenzo[d]thiazol-2-amine derivatives

We discovered a lead compound, N-methylbenzo[d]oxazol-2-amine (2a), which had comparable potency to albendazole, an orally administered anthelminticdrug, against Gnathostoma spinigerum, Caenorhabditis elegans and Trichinella spiralis. Compound 2a showed about 10 times lower cytotoxicity towards normal human cell line (HEK293) than albendazole. Moreover, we have developed new processes for the synthesis of N-alkylbenzo[d]oxazol-2-amine and N-alkylbenzo[d]thiazol-2-amine derivatives via metal-free conditions. This protocol could serve as a robust and scalable method, especially, to synthesize N-methylbenzo[d]oxazol-2-amine and N-methylbenzo[d]thiazol-2-amine derivatives which were difficult to prepare using other metal-free conditions. The method employed benzoxazole-2-thiol or benzothiazole-2-thiol as the substrate. The reaction was triggered by methylation of the thiol functional group to form the methyl sulfide intermediate, a crucial tactic, which facilitated in a smooth nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction with gaseous methylamine generated in situ from N-methylformamide. In addition, the proteomic analysis of compound 2a was also studied in this work.

N-Dimethylation and N-Functionalization of Amines Using Ru Nanoparticle Catalysts and Formaldehyde or Functional Aldehydes as the Carbon Source

N-methylated amines are essential bioactive compounds and have been widely used in the fine and bulk chemical industries, as well as in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and dyes. Developing green, efficient, and low-cost catalysts for methylation of amines by using efficient and easily accessible methylating reagents is highly desired yet remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report the selective N-dimethylation of different functional amines with different functional aldehydes under easy-to-handle and industrially applicable conditions using carbon-supported Ru nanoparticles (Ru/C) as a heterogeneous catalyst. A broad spectrum of amines could be efficiently converted to their corresponding N,N-dimethyl amines with good compatibility of various functional groups. This method is widely applicable to N-dimethylation of primary amines including aromatic, aliphatic amines with formaldehyde, and synthesis of tertiary amines from primary, secondary amines with different functional aldehydes. The advantage of this newly described method includes operational simplicity, high turnover number, the ready availability of the catalyst, and good functional group compatibility. This Ru/C catalyzed N-dimethylation reaction possibly proceeds through a two-step N-methylation reaction process.

Selective α-Methylation of Ketones

The convenient and scalable preparative approach for the two-step α-methylation of ketones is described. The optimized protocols for regioselective preparation of enaminones with further diastereoselective and functional groups tolerant hydrogenation to α-methylketones are developed. The scope and limitations of the proposed methodology are discussed. The advantages compared to known procedures are demonstrated. The unexpected role of acetone in the hydrogenation is suggested. The evaluation of the method for both early building block synthesis and late-stage CH-functionalization is shown. The elaborate procedures' preparability and scalability are demonstrated by the synthesis of several α-methyl ketones up to 100 g amount.

Rhenium(I)-Catalyzed C-Methylation of Ketones, Indoles, and Arylacetonitriles Using Methanol

A ReCl(CO)₅/MeC(CH₂PPh₂)₃ (L2) system was developed for the C-methylation reactions utilizing methanol and base, following the borrowing hydrogen strategy. Diverse ketones, indoles, and arylacetonitriles underwent mono- and dimethylation selectively up to 99% yield. Remarkably, tandem multiple methylations were also achieved by employing this catalytic system.

Borrowing Hydrogen for Organic Synthesis

Borrowing hydrogen is a process that is used to diversify the synthetic utility of commodity alcohols. A catalyst first oxidizes an alcohol by removing hydrogen to form a reactive carbonyl compound. This intermediate can undergo a diverse range of subsequent transformations before the catalyst returns the "borrowed" hydrogen to liberate the product and regenerate the catalyst. In this way, alcohols may be used as alkylating agents whereby the sole byproduct of this one-pot reaction is water. In recent decades, significant advances have been made in this area, demonstrating many effective methods to access valuable products. This outlook highlights the diversity of metal and biocatalysts that are available for this approach, as well as the various transformations that can be performed, focusing on a selection of the most significant and recent advances. By succinctly describing and conveying the versatility of borrowing hydrogen chemistry, we anticipate its uptake will increase across a wider scientific audience, expanding opportunities for further development.

N-Methylation of Amines with Methanol in the Presence of Carbonate Salt Catalyzed by a Metal-Ligand Bifunctional Ruthenium Catalyst [(p-cymene)Ru(2,2'-bpyO)(H2O)]

A ruthenium complex [(p-cymene)Ru(2,2'-bpyO)(H₂O)] was found to be a general and efficient catalyst for the N-methylation of amines with methanol in the presence of carbonate salt. Moreover, a series of sensitive substituents, such as nitro, ester, cyano, and vinyl groups, were tolerated under present conditions. It was confirmed that OH units in the ligand are crucial for the catalytic activity. Notably, this research exhibited the potential of metal-ligand bifunctional ruthenium catalysts for the hydrogen autotransfer process.

Selective synthesis of N-monomethyl amines with primary amines and nitro compounds

The development of the selective N-monomethylation of primary amines and nitro compounds by using various methylating agents, such as MeX, carbon dioxide, methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid and dimethyl carbonate.

Efficient methylation of anilines with methanol catalysed by cyclometalated ruthenium complexes

Cyclometalated ruthenium allow the effective and selective N-methylation of anilines under mild conditions.

Additive-free N-methylation of amines with methanol over supported iridium catalyst

Clean N-methylation of amines with methanol was achieved, providing a green approach to the selective synthesis of mono- or di-methylated amines.

Recent advances in sustainable organic transformations using methanol: expanding the scope of hydrogen-borrowing catalysis

Recent progress relating to sustainable approaches using methanol as a C1-alkylating agent for C–Me and N–Me bond formation is discussed.

Selective N-monomethylation of primary anilines with the controllable installation of N-CH2D, N-CHD2, and N-CD3 units

The selective N-monomethylation of primary anilines with the controllable installation of N-CH₂D, N-CHD₂, and N-CD₃ units was realized by using the amine-borane/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) system as the methyl precursor.

One-Pot Conversion of Allylic Alcohols to α-Methyl Ketones via Iron-Catalyzed Isomerization-Methylation

A one-pot iron-catalyzed conversion of allylic alcohols to α-methyl ketones has been developed. This isomerization-methylation strategy utilized a (cyclopentadienone)iron(0) carbonyl complex as precatalyst and methanol as the C1 source. A diverse range of allylic alcohols undergoes isomerization-methylation to form α-methyl ketones in good isolated yields (up to 84% isolated yield).

Iron-Catalyzed Borrowing Hydrogen β-C(sp3)-Methylation of Alcohols

Herein we report the iron-catalyzed β-C(sp3)-methylation of primary alcohols using methanol as a C1 building block. This borrowing hydrogen approach employs a well-defined bench-stable (cyclopentadienone)iron(0) carbonyl complex as precatalyst (5 mol %) and enables a diverse selection of substituted 2-arylethanols to undergo β-C(sp3)-methylation in good isolated yields (24 examples, 65% average yield).