Ru(II)-NHC catalysed N-Alkylation of amines with alcohols under solvent-free conditions

The reaction of [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 with in situ prepared Ag-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes yields a series of [RuCl2(p-cymene)(NHC)] complexes (2). All of the complexes have been characterised by elemental analysis, and 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopies. These complexes have been tested for the N-alkylation of aromatic amines with arylmethyl alcohols under neat conditions in the presence of KOtBu at 120 ?C. Compounds (2) are stable and have high catalytic/selective activity for the N-alkylation reactions of primary amines to afford secondary amines.

Automated summary

The reaction of [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 with Ag-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes yields stable complexes which show high catalytic/selective activity for the N-alkylation reactions of primary amines to afford secondary amines under neat conditions.