Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Facile Preparation of 2Z,4E-Dienamides by the Olefination of Electron-deficient Alkenes with Allyl Acetate
Published on: June 21, 2017
Cobalt-Catalyzed Alkylation of Aromatic Amines by Alcohols
Sina Rösler1, Michael Ertl1, Torsten Irrgang1
1Anorganische Chemie II-Katalysatordesign, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth (Germany).
Abstract:
The implementation of inexpensive, Earth-abundant metals in typical noble-metal-mediated chemistry is a major goal in homogeneous catalysis. A sustainable or green reaction that has received a lot of attention in recent years and is preferentially catalyzed by Ir or Ru complexes is the alkylation of amines by alcohols. It is based on the borrowing hydrogen or hydrogen autotransfer concept. Herein, we report on the Co-catalyzed alkylation of aromatic amines by alcohols. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions, and selectively generates monoalkylated amines. The observed selectivity allows the synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted diamines. A novel Co complex stabilized by a PN5 P ligand catalyzes the reactions most efficiently.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation of Amines: Alkylation of Ammonia and Amines
Each alkylation step makes the nitrogen center more nucleophilic, which triggers successive alkylations until a quaternary ammonium salt is formed. Considering...
Amines to Amides: Acylation of Amines
Next, the second equivalent of amine serves as a Brønsted base and deprotonates the quaternary...
α-Alkylation of Ketones via Enolate Ions
Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction
Alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary alkyl halides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide is one of the common methods for the synthesis of longer carbon-chain alkynes. For example, treatment of 1-propyne with sodium amide followed by reaction with ethyl bromide yields 2-pentyne.
Aldehydes and Ketones with Alcohols: Hemiacetal Formation
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Friedel–Crafts Acylation of Benzene

