Ruthenium-catalyzed selective imine synthesis from nitriles and secondary alcohols under hydrogen acceptor- and base-free conditions?

Organic Chemistry Frontiers Pub Date: 2016-02-11 DOI: 10.1039/C5QO00378D

Abstract

We report a method for the selective synthesis of imines from nitriles and secondary alcohols using a hydrogen-transfer strategy. The imine bond is efficiently formed between the nitrogen atom of nitrile and the α-carbon of secondary alcohol, catalyzed by a ruthenium dihydride complex with pyridine as a stabilizing ligand.

Graphical abstract: Ruthenium-catalyzed selective imine synthesis from nitriles and secondary alcohols under hydrogen acceptor- and base-free conditions
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