Ruthenium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of nitriles: Reduction and subsequent N-monoalkylation to secondary amines
The selective synthesis of amines continues to be of importance because of their application in the bulk and fine chemical industries. Herein, domino ruthenium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of nitriles with subsequent N-monoalkylation by using alcohols is described. With this novel approach, various nitriles were reductively N-monoalkylated in excellent yields. A simple method for the synthesis of secondary amines starting directly from nitriles by using a ruthenium catalyst is described. With this novel domino system, various nitriles were reduced and subsequently N-monoalkylated in excellent yields (up to 99 %). In addition to isopropanol, other alcohols were also used as a reductant and N-monoalkylation reagent. Copyright