Catalytic N-Alkylation of Amines Using Carboxylic Acids and Molecular Hydrogen

Abstract

A convenient, practical and green N-alkylation of amines has been accomplished by applying readily available carboxylic acids in the presence of molecular hydrogen. Applying an in situ formed ruthenium/triphos complex and an organic acid as cocatalyst, a broad range of alkylated secondary and tertiary amines are obtained in good to excellent yields. This novel method is also successfully applied for the synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted N-methyl/alkyl anilines through a direct three-component coupling reaction of the corresponding amines, carboxylic acids, and CO2 as a C1 source.