Ruthenium-Catalyzed Synthesis of N-Methylated Amides using Methanol

The use of methanol as a C1 building block

Methanol is a key building block in the chemical industry. In recent years, it has been used as a C1 source in various organic transformations in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst. This protocol describes the ruthenium- and cobalt-catalyzed utilization of methanol in different types of methylation reactions and heterocycle synthesis. Initially, we describe the synthesis of tridentate ligands (L1-L3) and their corresponding Ru(II) complexes (Ru-1, -2 and -3) and then detail how to apply these Ru(II) complexes and Co/PP3 (PP3 = P(CH2CH2PPh2)3) in various methanol dehydrogenative coupling reactions. We discuss six types of transformations by using methanol or a methanol/water mixture. The experimental setup for all the catalytic reactions is similar and involves adding all the respective reagents and solvents to an argon-filled pressure tube, which is sealed (by screw cap) and refluxed at the indicated temperature before the desired products are isolated and characterized. The catalytic systems described in this protocol work well for both small-scale and preparative-scale synthesis of various N-methylated amines/amides, C-methylated products and quinazolinones. These catalytic reactions are greener and more sustainable than conventional synthesis methods, with only H2 and/or H2O as by-products, and we evaluate the 'green chemistry metrics' for a typical substrate. The total time required for the catalytic experiments described in this protocol is 16-28 h, and the operation time is 4 h. An average level of expertise in organic synthesis is required to carry out these protocols.

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.

Bicyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (BICAAC) in a dual role: activation of primary amides and CO2 towards catalytic N-methylation

Herein, we report the first catalytic methylation of primary amides using CO₂ as a C1 source. A bicyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (BICAAC) exhibits dual role by activating both primary amide and CO₂ to carry out this catalytic transformation which enables the formation of a new C-N bond in the presence of pinacolborane. This protocol was applicable to a wide range of substrate scopes, including aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic amides. We successfully used this procedure in the diversification of drug and bioactive molecules. Moreover, this method was explored for isotope labelling using ¹³CO₂ for a few biologically important molecules. A detailed study of the mechanism was carried out with the help of spectroscopic studies and DFT calculations.

Monoselective N-Methylation of Amides, Indoles, and Related Structures Using Quaternary Ammonium Salts as Solid Methylating Agents

We herein report the use of phenyl trimethylammonium iodide (PhMe₃NI) as a safe, nontoxic, and easy-to-handle reagent for an absolutely monoselective N-methylation of amides and related compounds as well as for the N-methylation of indoles. In addition, we expanded the method to N-ethylation using PhEt₃NI. The ease of operational setup, high yields of ≤99%, high functional group tolerance, and especially the excellent monoselectivity for amides make this method attractive for late-stage methylation of bioactive compounds.

Green and Sustainable Visible Light-Mediated Formation of Amide Bonds: An Emerging Niche in Organic Chemistry

Amide bond is one of the most fascinating functional groups in nature due to its stability, conformational diversity, high bond polarity, and abundance in numerous natural products and drug candidates,...

Cyclometalated (NNC)Ru(II) complex catalyzed β-methylation of alcohols using methanol

Indolyl fragment containing phenanthroline based new ligands and their corresponding Ru(II) complexes were synthesized and fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Catalytic activity of these newly synthesized cyclometalated (NNC)Ru(II) complexes...

Catalytic N-methyl amidation of carboxylic acids under cooperative conditions

The generation of N-methyl amides using simple acids with high atom economy is rare owning to the volatile nature of methyl amine. Herein, an atom economic protocol was disclosed to prepare this valuable motif under DABCO/Fe3O4 cooperative catalysis.

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.

Peroxide-mediated site-specific C–H methylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones under metal-free conditions

An effective approach to realize the direct methylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with peroxides under metal-free conditions is described.