Double Dehydrogenation of Primary Amines to Nitriles by a Ruthenium Complex Featuring Pyrazole Functionality.

A ruthenium(II) complex bearing a naphthyridine-functionalized pyrazole ligand catalyzes oxidant-free and acceptorless selective double dehydrogenation of primary amines to nitriles at moderate temperature. The role of the proton-responsive entity on the ligand scaffold is demonstrated by control experiments, including the use of a N-methylated pyrazole analogue. DFT calculations reveal intricate hydride and proton transfers to achieve the overall elimination of 2 equiv of H2.