Catalytic acceptorless dehydrogenations: Ru-Macho catalyzed construction of amides and imines

A commercially available ruthenium(II) PNP type pincer catalyst (Ru-Macho) promotes formation of amides and imines from alcohols and amines via an acceptorless dehydrogenation pathway. The formation of secondary amides, tertiary amides, and secondary ketimines occurs in yields ranging from 35% to 95%.