General, Green, and Scalable Synthesis of Imines from Alcohols and Amines by a Mild and Efficient Copper‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Reaction in Open Air at Room Temperature

Abstract

Abstract A general, green, and scalable synthesis of the useful imines and α,β‐unsaturated imines is successfully achieved by a low‐loading and powerful, mild and efficient copper‐catalyzed aerobic oxidative reaction of alcohols and amines in the open air at room temperature under base‐ and dehydrating reagent‐free conditions. This practical reaction can use air as the economic and green oxidant, tolerates a wide range of substrates, can afford high yields of the target imines on a large scale, and produces water as the only by‐product, and thus being the best imination method as yet using alcohols and amines directly.