Commercial Pd/C-Catalyzed N-Methylation of Nitroarenes and Amines Using Methanol as Both C1 and H2 Source.

Herein, we report commercially available carbon-supported-palladium (Pd/C)-catalyzed N-methylation of nitroarenes and amines using MeOH as both a C1 and a H2 source. This transformation proceeds with high atom-economy and in an environmentally friendly way via borrowing hydrogen mechanism. A total of >30 structurally diverse N-methylamines, including bioactive compounds, were selectively synthesized with isolated yields of up to 95%. Furthermore, selective N-methylation and deuteration of nimesulide, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, were realized through the late-stage functionalization.