Selective N-monoalkylation of aromatic amines with benzylic alcohols by a hydrogen autotransfer process catalyzed by unmodified magnetite.

A new catalyst for an old material: magnetite is a good catalyst for the selective N-alkylation of aromatic amines using benzylic alcohols as electrophiles. The process could be repeated up to eight times without losing effectiveness. The catalyst recycling is very easy, using a simple magnet. The catalyst is selective and could discriminate between aromatic and aliphatic amines, as well as between benzylic and aliphatic alcohols, as the reactions only take place with aromatic amines and benzylic alcohols.