General Synthesis of <i>N</i>-Alkylation of Amines with Secondary Alcohols via Hydrogen Autotransfer

Abstract

Direct catalytic <i>N</i>-alkylation of amines with secondary alcohols via hydrogen autotransfer (HA) strategy is very challenging and has been scarcely reported, even under precious metal catalysis. Herein, an efficient <i>N</i>-alkylation of amines, including benzylamines using secondary alcohols as alkylating agents, is reported. This reaction is catalyzed by a molecularly defined NNN-Ni(II) pincer complex, and the reaction operates under mild, benign conditions. Various substrates and functional groups were tolerated. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the <i>N</i>-alkylation reaction proceeds via a hydrogen autotransfer mechanism.