Nickel(II)-NΛNΛO Pincer Type Complex-Catalyzed N-alkylation of Amines with Alcohols via the Hydrogen Autotransfer Reaction.

A highly sustainable catalytic protocol for the coupling of alcohols and amines for selective monoalkylated amines using Ni(II)-NΛNΛO pincer type complexes through the borrowing hydrogen methodology is described. An array of Ni(II) catalysts (1-3) was synthesized and characterized by various spectral and analytical methods. Furthermore, the distorted square planar geometry of the complexes (1 and 2) was substantiated with single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The inexpensive nickel-based catalytic methodology displays a broad substrate scope for the N-alkylation of aromatic and heteroaromatic amines using a diverse range of primary alcohols with excellent yields up to 97%. The present approach is environmentally benign, which liberates water as the sole byproduct. A short synthesis of drug intermediates such as mepyramine and chloropyramine illustrates the utility of the present protocol.