Manganese-Catalyzed Selective Hydrogenative Cross-Coupling of Nitriles and Amines to Form Secondary Imines

Manganese complexes with tridentate PNN ligands have been synthesized as catalysts for hydrogenative cross-coupling reaction of nitriles and amines to form secondary imines. This reaction afforded a variety of unsymmetrical secondary imines in good yields with excellent selectivity. Investigation of catalyst intermediates indicated that an amido manganese complex may be the active catalyst species for this reaction.

Automated summary

Manganese complexes with tridentate PNN ligands have been synthesized as catalysts for hydrogenative cross-coupling reaction of nitriles and amines to form secondary imines. This reaction yielded a variety of unsymmetrical secondary imines in good yields with excellent selectivity. Investigation of catalyst intermediates suggested that an amido manganese complex may be the active catalyst species for this reaction.