Synthesis of substituted amines: Catalytic reductive amination of carbonyl compounds using Lewis acid Zn–Co-double metal cyanide/polymethylhydrosiloxane

• Selective reductive amination of carbonyl compounds using Zn–Co-DMC/PMHS.
• The Zn–Co-DMC catalyst showed higher activity than Zn–Co-PEG-DMC.
• The highest yield of the desired amine product was achieved in methanol at 60 °C.
• Stability of the Zn–Co-DMC catalyst system tested by recycling.

Zn–Co double metal cyanide (DMC) is found to be an effective heterogeneous catalyst for reductive amination reaction of carbonyl compounds with aromatic amines using inexpensive polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) as a reducing agent. The asprepared catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), N2 adsorption–desorption, and thermogravimetric analysis. Substituted amines were efficiently synthesized by a convenient, simple and environment friendly procedure in excellent yields. In order to optimize the reaction condition, it was carried out by varying reaction parameter such as temperature and using different solvent. Notably, the highest yield of the desired amine product was achieved in methanol at 60 °C. The main advantages of this methodology is easy catalyst preparation and separation, high thermal catalytic stability, mild reaction condition, recyclable catalyst and high yield.

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