Clean borrowing hydrogen methodology using hydrotalcite supported copper catalyst

The catalytic activity of Mg–Al hydrotalcite supported copper catalyst was investigated for clean CC and CN bond forming reactions using alcohols as alkylating agent via borrowing hydrogen methodology. The catalyst showed excellent conversion of ketone and amine substrates (71–99%) to alkylated products with high selectivity in alkylation reactions.

Graphical abstractThe C-alkylation of carbonyls (2) and N-alkylation of amines (3) with alcohols (1) was carried out using Mg–Al hydrotalcite supported copper (Cu-HT) catalyst via clean borrowing hydrogen method.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Hydrotalcite supported copper (Cu-HT) showed potential of borrowing hydrogen. ► Solvent free and base free borrowing hydrogen methodology was established. ► C-alkylation of carbonyls and N-alkylation of amines with alcohols was carried out using Cu-HT. ► Primary, secondary and benzylic alcohols could be activated for borrowing hydrogen. ► Aromatic carbonyl and amine (deactivated substrates) showed good reactivity.