An efficient N-heterocyclic carbene based ruthenium-catalyst: Application towards the synthesis of esters and amides

A highly stable benzimidazolylidene based N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ruthenium catalyst was prepared starting with readily accessible starting materials. Under inert gas atmosphere and in air the catalyst showed high activity for the direct synthesis of esters from primary alcohols and of amides from primary alcohols and amines. Di-, tri-, and oligo-amides were obtained by using specific starting materials.