Direct benzylation of amines with benzylic alcohols catalyzed by palladium/phosphine-borane catalyst system

Direct catalytic benzylation of amines with benzylic alcohols to give benzylamines has been newly developed by using palladium/phosphine-borane catalyst system. In this catalytic reaction, the linking between both phosphine and borane moieties in the ligand is very important. Hydroxy group of benzylic alcohols is activated by Lewis acidic borane to form a benzylpalladium intermediate which is attacked by amines to give benzylamine products. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.