NJC
Cite this: New J. Chem., 2011, 35, 998–999
LETTER
DDQ as an electrocatalyst for amine dehydrogenation, a model system
for virtual hydrogen storagew
Oana R. Luca, Ting Wang, Steven J. Konezny, Victor S. Batista* and
Robert H. Crabtree*
Received (in Gainesville, FL, USA) 21st December 2010, Accepted 24th March 2011
DOI: 10.1039/c0nj01011a
2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ) is an electro-
chemical oxidation catalyst for a secondary amine, a model
system for virtual hydrogen storage by removal of a hydrogen
equivalent from an amine; a computational study provides
mechanistic information.
We now find that the stoichiometric oxidation of either
N-phenylbenzylamine or indoline (IIa) with DDQ in benzene
gives satisfactory yields (86% of Ib; 97% of IIb) of
unsaturated products after only 30 s at room temperature
(see also ESIw). This rapid reaction avoids the slow H2
evolution step in the Pez study.2 Our computational analysis
of the underlying reaction mechanism, at the DFT BH&H/
6-311++G(d,p) level, indicates that N-phenylbenzylamine and
DDQ form a tight 1 : 1 complex, stabilized by stacking and
charge-transfer interactions (Fig. 1). Approximately 0.25 e
units of charge are transferred from N-phenylbenzylamine to
DDQ, giving zwitterionic character to the complex, and a
strong electrostatic attraction that brings the stacked aromatic
moieties in close contact with each other. The interaction of a
Electrodehydrogenation reactions are sought for use in fuel
cell applications.1–3 In this context, saturated N-containing
heterocycles1,2 have been proposed as electrochemical (virtual
hydrogen storage)1 or thermal liquid carriers for 2(H+ + eÀ)
or for H2, respectively. Pez2 et al. have shown how a fuel,
N-ethyl carbazole, can be both hydrogenated and dehydro-
genated catalytically over many cycles with a heterogeneous
catalyst. The presence of N in the molecule makes the less
favorable reaction, dehydrogenation, more thermodynamically
and kinetically favorable.1 A ubiquitous feature of the proposed
systems is the CH–NH motif. To this date no molecular
catalyst is able to perform the desired dehydrogenative
oxidative transformation under electrochemical conditions.
As a proof of principle, we use N-phenylbenzylamine (Ia) to
illustrate an organocatalytic CH–NH group dehydrogenation.
We explore quinones as dehydrogenation electrocatalysts,
relying on their known ability to perform 2(H+ + eÀ)
chemistry. In particular we find that the high potential
quinone, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ),
dehydrogenates the model substrate PhCH2NHPh (Ia) to give
PhCHQNPh (Ib). Known for aromatizing a wide variety of
saturated heterocycles,4 we now find DDQ can abstract two H
atom equivalents from the NH–CH2 group, not only stoichio-
metrically but via electrochemical organocatalysis. DDQ is
commonly used as a stoichiometric oxidant and it readily
reacts with water,4 so aqueous solvents must be avoided.
Several reports on its non-aqueous electrochemistry are avail-
able,5–7 although none in the context of dehydrogenative
amine oxidations.
carbonyl moiety of DDQ with
a benzyl hydrogen of
N-phenylbenzylamine leads to hydride transfer, forming the
highly unstable intermediate (ion pair), with even stronger
zwitterionic character. Rotation of the deprotonated
hydroquinone, stacked to the benzylamine ring in the ion pair,
is almost barrierless and leads to deprotonation of the benzyl
ion forming hydroquinol and completing the dehydrogenation
of N-phenylbenzylamine. The overall dehydrogenation
reaction is exothermic, releasing B35 kcal molÀ1
.
Catalysis requires electro-regeneration of an active quinol
radical species. A prior study on anodic regeneration of DDQ
from the corresponding hydroquinone reports the substoichio-
metric use of DDQ as an electrocatalyst for the side chain
oxidation of 2-methyl and 2-benzylnaphthalenes with O2,
suggesting the potential for broader electrocatalytic use of this
oxidant.6,7 From a synthetic standpoint, imines are versatile
intermediates in the synthesis of substituted amines.8 Electro-
chemistry is considered one of the cleanest ways to perform
desired chemical transformations9 therefore the mediated
electrooxidation of primary amines to the corresponding
nitriles10 provides an important precedent in the dehydrogena-
tion of C–N bonds. Moreover, only one electrochemical imine
synthesis has previously been reported.11
Yale Chemistry Department, 225 Prospect St., New Haven,
CT 06511, USA. E-mail: victor.batista@yale.edu,
robert.crabtree@yale.edu; Fax: +1 203 432 6144, +1 203 432 6144;
Tel: +1 203 432 6672, +1 203 432 3915
w Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental
details include 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of all products as well as
electrochemical and computational data. See DOI: 10.1039/c0nj01011a
We find that catalytic DDQ mediated amine oxidation is
possible (Fig. 2). Initial cyclic voltammetry indicated that
electrolysis at 0.964 V vs. NHE (see ESIw) would allow
DDQ regeneration from its hydroquinone (which forms
immediately after addition of quinone to substrate). In a controlled
c
998 New J. Chem., 2011, 35, 998–999
This journal is The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 2011