Cobalt-Catalyzed Acceptorless Alcohol Dehydrogenation: Synthesis of Imines from Alcohols and Amines

A cobalt catalyst has been developed for the acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols and applied to synthesize Imines from alcohols and amines. Deuterium labeling studies suggest that the reaction proceeds by an initial reversible alcohol dehydrogenation step involving a cobalt hydride intermediate.