Heterobimetallic Lanthanide/Sodium Phenoxides: Efficient Catalysts for Amidation of Aldehydes with Amines

Heterobimetallic lanthanide/sodium phenoxides were found to lie efficient catalysts for amidation of aldehydes with amines under mild conditions. The reactivity follows the order Nd < Y < Sm for metals and 2,6-(Me)(2)C6H3O < 2,6-(Pr-i)(2)C6H3O < 2,6-(Bu-t)(2)C6H3O for phenoxide groups. In comparison with the corresponding monometallic complexes, heterobimetallic complexes show higher activity and a wider range of scope of amines. A cooperation of lanthanide and Sodium in this process is proposed to contribute to the high activity of the present catalyst.