Selective Synthesis of Secondary and Tertiary Amines by Reductive N-Alkylation of Nitriles and N-Alkylation of Amines and Ammonium Formate Catalyzed by Ruthenium Complex

A new ruthenium catalytic system for the syntheses of secondary and tertiary amines via reductive N-alkylation of nitriles and N-alkylation of primary amines is proposed. Isomeric complexes 8 catalyze transfer hydrogenation and N-alkylation of nitriles in ethanol to give secondary amines. Unsymmetrical secondary amines can be produced by N-alkylation of primary amines with alcohols via the borrowing hydrogen methodology. Aliphatic amines were obtained with excellent yields, while only moderate conversions were observed for anilines. Based on kinetic and mechanistic studies, it is suggested that the rate determining step is the hydrogenation of intermediate imine to amine. Finally, ammonium formate was applied as the amination reagent for alcohols in the presence of ruthenium catalyst 8. Secondary amines were obtained from primary alcohols within 24hours at 100 degrees C, and tertiary amines can be produced after prolonged heating. Secondary alcohols can only be converted to secondary amines with moderate yield. Based on mechanistic studies, the process is suggested to proceed through an ammonium alkoxy carbonate intermediate, where carbonate acts as an efficient leaving group.