Hydrogen Acceptor- and Base-Free N-Formylation of Nitriles and Amines using Methanol as C-1 Source

摘要

An N-formylation method using methanol as the C-1 source without a stoichiometric amount of activating reagent is described. Nitriles as well as amines can be directly used as substrates. The reaction is catalyzed by an N-heterocyclic carbene coordinated ruthenium(II) dihydride complex, which mediates methanol dehydrogenation, nitrile reduction, and C-N bond formation without any external base, hydrogen acceptor, or oxidant.