Ionic Liquid‐Promoted Oxidant‐Free Dehydrogenation of Alcohols with Water‐Soluble Ruthenium Nanoparticles in Aqueous Phase

An oxidant‐free dehydrogenation of alcohols in the aqueous phase was developed for the first time using water‐soluble poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVP)‐stabilized ruthenium nanoparticles with an ionic liquid as a promoter. The present catalytic system was highly efficient and stable for the catalytic dehydrogenation of various alcohols. It was found that the basic ionic liquid 1‐n‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium acetate ([BMMIM] OAc) additive played a crucial role in enhancing the catalytic activity and stability of ruthenium(0) nanoparticles. A reaction kinetics study and ¹H NMR analysis demonstrated that the basic ionic liquid and ruthenium nanoparticles exerted a synergetic effect for the dehydrogenation reaction.     

Hydrogen Acceptor‐ and Base‐Free N‐Formylation of Nitriles and Amines using Methanol as C1 Source

An N‐formylation method using methanol as the C₁ source without a stoichiometric amount of activating reagent is described. Nitriles as well as amines can be directly used as substrates. The reaction is catalyzed by an N‐heterocyclic carbene coordinated ruthenium(II) dihydride complex, which mediates methanol dehydrogenation, nitrile reduction, and C N bond formation without any external base, hydrogen acceptor, or oxidant.

     

Copper Nanoparticles from Copper Aluminum Hydrotalcite: An Efficient Catalyst for Acceptor‐ and Oxidant‐Free Dehydrogenation of Amines and Alcohols

An efficient and simple process for the preparation of stable nanocopper(0) on alumina [Cu(0)/Al₂O₃] from the inorganic composite precursor copper aluminum hydrotalcite (Cu‐Al HT) by a chemical reduction method is described. Cu(0)/Al₂O₃ was employed as an efficient catalyst in the acceptor‐ and oxidant‐free dehydrogenation of various amines and alcohols to their corresponding dehydrogenated products in good to excellent yields. The stability of Cu(0)/Al₂O₃ was assessed by studying its recoverability and reusability in the dehydrogenation of amines and alcohols for up to five cycles.

     

Direct Amide Synthesis from Alcohols and Amines by Phosphine‐Free Ruthenium Catalyst Systems

Amides are synthesized directly from alcohols and amines in high yields using an in situ generated catalyst from easily available ruthenium complexes such as the (p‐cymene)ruthenium dichloride dimer, [Ru(p‐cymeme)Cl₂]₂, or the (benzene)ruthenium dichloride dimer, [Ru(benzene)Cl₂]₂, an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand, and a nitrogen containing L‐type ligand such as acetonitrile. The phosphine‐free catalyst systems showed improved or comparable activity compared to previous phosphine‐based catalytic systems. The in situ generated catalyst from [Ru(benzene)Cl₂]₂, an NHC ligand, and acetonitrile showed excellent activity toward reactions with cyclic secondary amines such as piperidine and morpholine.     

Formation of Tertiary Amides and Dihydrogen by Dehydrogenative Coupling of Primary Alcohols with Secondary Amines Catalyzed by Ruthenium Bipyridine‐Based Pincer Complexes

Dehydrogenative coupling of primary alcohols with secondary amines to form tertiary amides and dihydrogen (H₂) is efficiently catalyzed by bipyridyl‐based ruthenium pincer complexes (0.2–1 mol%) under neutral conditions (in case of the dearomatized complexes), or with added catalytic amount of base. The reaction is sensitive to steric hindrance; in the case of amidation of bulky secondary amines a less sterically hindered complex is more efficient. Selective acylation of primary amines in the presence of secondary amines was also demonstrated.

     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed β‐Alkylation of Secondary Alcohols with Primary Alcohols

Cyclopentadienyl (Cp), hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borato (Tp), and bipyridine ruthenium complexes were found to be active catalysts for the β‐alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols. Mechanistic aspects of the Cp and Tp complexes‐catalyzed reactions were investigated; the crucial hydrido complexes were identified. Carbonyl complexes resulting from aldehyde decarbonylation were formed in some cases, and surprisingly, they were also found to be active for the catalytic processes.     

Ruthenium‐Indenylidene Complexes: Scope in Cross‐Metathesis Transformations

A comparative study examining the catalytic activity of a series of five indenylidene‐containing ruthenium complexes in olefin cross‐metathesis reactions is presented. Results reveal the greater efficiency of precatalyst 5 , highlighting the key role of the N,N′‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene (IPr) ligand for this transformation. The scope of this precatalyst was investigated and several microwave experiments were carried out allowing for catalyst loadings as low as 0.1 mol%. Overall, cross‐metathesis products were isolated in moderate to excellent yields with high stereoselectivity.     

Green and Scalable Aldehyde‐Catalyzed Transition Metal‐Free Dehydrative N‐Alkylation of Amides and Amines with Alcohols

In contrast to the borrowing hydrogen‐type N‐alkylation reactions, in which alcohols were activated by transition metal‐catalyzed anaerobic dehydrogenation, the addition of external aldehydes was accidentally found to be a simple and effective protocol for alcohol activation. This interesting finding subsequently led to an efficient and green, practical and scalable aldehyde‐catalyzed transition metal‐free dehydrative N‐alkylation method for a variety of amides, amines, and alcohols. Mechanistic studies revealed that this reaction most possibly proceeds via a simple but interesting transition metal‐free relay race mechanism.     

Lewis Acid‐Catalyzed Oxidative Allylation: A New Approach for the Synthesis of Homoallylic Alcohols and Amines Directly from Alcohols

A new approach for the synthesis of homoallylic alcohols and amines directly from alcohols via one‐pot sequential oxidation–Barbier reaction and oxidation–condensation–Barbier reactions, respectively, is reported. The protocol involves the one‐pot ferric chloride‐catalyzed oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes with chloramine‐T followed by indium‐mediated Barbier allylation with allyl bromide to afford homoallylic alcohols in 70–90% overall yields. The ferric chloride‐catalyzed condensation of aldehydes and oxidation by‐product p‐toluenesulfonamide followed by indium‐mediated Barbier‐type allylation of the resulting aldimines with allyl bromide affords homoallylic amines in 60–80% overall yields in the same reaction vessel. The present work demonstrates a new one‐pot approach toward homoallylic alcohol and amine synthesis directly from alcohols.     

The Effect of pH Control on the Selective Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Ethers and Alcohols with Sodium Hypochlorite

Highly selective oxidations of ethers to esters or lactones and of secondary alcohols to ketones were achieved using catalytic amounts of various Ru precursors and the theoretical amount of NaOCl. Reactions were carried out in biphasic solvent mixtures at constant pH 9–9.5 via either feed‐on‐demand addition of HCl and NaOH or in the presence of NaHCO₃/Na₂CO₃ buffer. The catalyst could be easily recycled for at least 4 times with only minor loss in selectivity. Products were generally recovered by simple phase separation and evaporation of the organic solvent. The effects of catalyst precursor, additives and pH control method are also described.     

An Efficient and Recyclable Catalyst for N‐Alkylation of Amines and β‐Alkylation of Secondary Alcohols with Primary Alcohols: SBA‐15 Supported N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Iridium Complex

A mesoporous silica (SBA‐15)‐supported pyrimidine‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene iridium complex was prepared and used as a catalyst for both environmentally friendly N‐alkylation of amines and β‐alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols. The structure of the supported iridium catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), ¹³C and ²⁹Si solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), iridium K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopic analyses which demonstrated that the coordination environment of the iridium centre and the 3‐dimensional‐hexagonal pore structure of SBA‐15 were retained after the immobilization. The catalyst was found to be highly efficient for both kinds of reaction on a wide range of substrates under mild conditions. Moreover, the supported iridium catalyst was obviously superior to the unsupported one in the N‐alkylation of aniline and β‐alkylation of 1‐phenylethanol with benzyl alcohol as substrate, which indicated that not only the iridium complex moiety but also the support material contributed to the catalytic activity of the supported iridium catalyst in these reactions. The supported iridium catalyst can be easily recycled by simple washing without chemical treatment, and exhibited excellent recycling performance without notable decrease in catalytic efficiency even after twelve test cycles for N‐alkylation of aniline with benzyl alcohol, nine cycles for N‐alkylation of different amines with different alcohols, and eight cycles for β‐alkylation of 1‐phenylethanol with benzyl alcohol, respectively.     

Iron‐Catalyzed Oppenauer‐Type Oxidation of Alcohols

A (hydroxycyclopentadienyl)iron dicarbonyl hydride catalyzes the Oppenauer‐type oxidation of alcohols with acetone as the hydrogen acceptor. Many functional groups are tolerant to the oxidation conditions. The same complex also catalyzes the dehydrogenation of diols to lactones. A mechanism involving the formation of iron‐alcohol complexes and their rapid ligand exchange with free alcohols is proposed. The trimethylsilyl groups on the cyclopentadienyl ligand of the catalyst play a critical role in stabilizing the iron hydride and increasing the catalyst lifetime.     

Vanadium‐Catalyzed Selective Oxidation of Alcohols to Aldehydes and Ketones with tert‐Butyl Hydroperoxide

The oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones has been described using silica‐supported vanadium(IV ) oxide (V/SiO₂, 1 ) in the presence of tert‐butyl hydroperoxide in tert‐butyl alcohol at ambient temperature with quantitative yields. The procedure is simple, efficient and environmentally benign.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral β‐Aryloxy Alcohols by Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Ketone Hydrogenation via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR)

A highly efficient enantioselective synthesis of chiral β‐aryloxy alcohols by the {RuCl₂[(S)‐SDP][(R,R)‐DPEN]} [(S_a,R,R)‐ 1a ; SDP=7,7′‐bis(diarylphosphino)‐1,1′‐spirobiindane; DPEN=trans‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine] complex‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of racemic α‐aryloxydialkyl ketones via dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) has been developed. Enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee with good to high cis/anti‐selectivities (up to>99:1) were achieved.     

N‐Alkylation of Amines with Alcohols Catalyzed by a Water‐Soluble Cp*Iridium Complex: An Efficient Method for the Synthesis of Amines in Aqueous Media

An efficient and environmentally benign catalytic system for the synthesis of various organic amines catalyzed by the water‐soluble and air‐stable (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)‐iridium‐ammine iod‐ ide complex, [Cp*Ir(NH₃)₃][I]₂ (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), has been developed. A wide variety of secondary and tertiary amines were synthesized by the N‐alkylation reactions of theoretical equivalents of amines with alcohols in water under air without a base. The synthesis of cyclic amines was also achieved by the N‐alkylation of benzylamine with diols. Furthermore, the recycle use of the present water‐soluble Cp*Ir catalyst was accomplished.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Alkyne Oxidation with Part‐Per‐Million Catalyst Loadings

Using a catalytic system of the (cymene)ruthenium dichloride dimer, [Ru(cymene)Cl₂]₂, (0.001 mol%) and iodine (10 mol%), a variety of alkynes bearing different functional groups were oxidized with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP; 70% solution in water) under mild conditions to give 1,2‐diketones in good to excellent yields. Two noteworthy features of the method are the extremely high catalyst productivity (TON up to 420,000) and scale‐up to 1 mol. Preliminary mechanism investigations showed that iodonium ion and water were involved in the transformation.     

Waste‐Free Electrochemical Oxidation of Alcohols in Water

We describe a new sol‐gel molecular electrode made of a thin layer of organosilica doped with the nitroxyl radical TEMPO (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl) electrodeposited on the surface of an ITO‐coated glass and its employment as a selective and versatile oxidation catalyst in the electrochemical conversion of different alcohols to carbonyl compounds. Environmentally friendly water or a water/acetonitrile mixture buffered with bicarbonate is used as solvent. The electrode is highly stable and it can be reused for a prolonged period of time allowing easy separation from the products.     

Hydroxylamine as a Source for Nitric Oxide in Metal‐Free 2,2,6,6‐ Tetramethylpiperidine N‐Oxyl Radical (TEMPO) Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols

The communication reports on the metal‐free 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine N‐oxyl radical (TEMPO) catalyzed aerobic oxidation of various alcohols to aldehydes and ketones. A novel catalyst system that uses 1–4 mol% of TEMPO in combination with 4–6 mol% of aqueous hydroxylamine is introduced. No other additives are necessary and corrosive by‐products are not formed during oxidation. Nitric oxide which is important for the catalytic cycle is generated in situ by reaction of the hydroxylamine with TEMPO. A catalytic cycle for the overall oxidation process is suggested.     

Ruthenium Pincer‐Catalyzed Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling of Primary Alcohols with Secondary Alcohols under Neutral Conditions

Cross‐dehydrogenative coupling of primary alcohols with secondary alcohols to obtain mixed esters with the liberation of molecular hydrogen is achieved in high yield and good selectivity under neutral conditions, using a bipyridyl‐based PNN ruthenium(II) pincer catalyst.     

Cationic Ruthenium‐Cyclopentadienyl‐Diphosphine Complexes as Catalysts for the Allylation of Phenols with Allyl Alcohol; Relation between Structure and Catalytic Performance in O‐ vs. C‐Allylation

A new catalytic method has been investigated to obtain either O‐ or C‐allylated phenolic products using allyl alcohol or diallyl ether as the allyl donor. With the use of new cationic ruthenium(II) complexes as catalyst, both reactions can be performed with good selectivity. Active cationic Ru(II) complexes, having cyclopentadienyl and bidentate phosphine ligands are generated from the corresponding Ru(II) chloride complexes with a silver salt. The structures of three novel (diphosphine)Ru(II)CpCl catalyst precursor complexes are reported. It appears that the structure of the bidentate ligand has a major influence on catalytic activity as well as chemoselectivity. In addition, a strong cocatalytic effect of small amounts of acid is revealed. Model experiments are described that have been used to build a reaction network that explains the origin and evolution in time of both O‐allylated and C‐allylated phenolic products. Some mechanistic implications of the observed structure vs. performance relation of the [(diphosphine)RuCp]⁺ complexes and the cocatalytic role of added protons are discussed.