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Updated: Aug 25, 2025

Imine Metathesis by Silica-Supported Catalysts Using the Methodology of Surface Organometallic Chemistry
Published on: October 18, 2019
Alkyl Formates as Transfer Hydroalkylation Reagents and Their Use in the Catalytic Conversion of Imines to
Etienne Crochet1, Lucile Anthore-Dalion1, Thibault Cantat1
1Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Abstract:
Easily accessible via a simple esterification of alcohols with formic acid, alkyl formates are used as a novel class of transfer hydroalkylation reagents, CO2 acting as a traceless linker. As a proof-of-concept, their reactivity in the transfer hydroalkylation of imines is investigated, using a ruthenium-based catalyst and LiI as promoter to cleave the C-O σ-bond of the formate scaffold. Providing tertiary amines, the reaction displays a divergent regioselectivity compared to previously reported transfer hydroalkylation strategies.
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