Ru-Catalyzed Switchable N-Hydroxyethylation and N-Acetonylation with Crude Glycerol

Highly efficient Ru-catalyzed selective C-C or C-O bond cleavage of polyols (e.g., crude glycerol) for N-hydroxyethylation or N-acetonylation of amines was achieved through the hydrogen-borrowing approach. A variety of amines were transformed to the desired amino alcohols/ketones in moderate-to-excellent yields, opening up new avenues for generation of oxygenated pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals from renewable raw materials. The use of new redox-active catalysts containing bisphosphine/thienylmethylamine ligands allows this hydrogen-borrowing system to be operated selectively under both basic and acidic conditions.