A novel ruthenium-catalyzed amination of primary and secondary alcohols

An improved method for the N-alkylation of primary amines with primary and secondary alcohols has been developed. Novel, effective catalyst systems, for example, Ru3(CO)12 combined with tri-o-tolylphosphine or n-butyl-di-1-adamantylphosphine, allow for aminations in a good yield under comparatively mild conditions.

The N-alkylation of primary amines with primary and secondary alcohols proceeds smoothly in the presence of in situ generated ruthenium catalysts such as Ru3(CO)12/tri-o-tolylphosphine or n-butyl-di-1-adamantylphosphine.