Direct coupling of alcohols to form esters and amides with evolution of H2 using in situ formed ruthenium catalysts

A simple approach for the catalytic conversion of primary alcohols into their corresponding esters and amides, with evolution of H-2 gas using in situ formed ruthenium PNP- and PNN-pincer catalysts, is presented. The evaluation showed conversions for the esterification with turnover numbers as high as 4300, and >400 for the amidation.