Aerobic oxidative coupling of amines to imines by mesoporous copper aluminum mixed metal oxides via generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

A mesoporous, monomodal copper aluminum mixed metal oxide (MMO) (average pore size 9.63 nm, surface area 140 m(2)/g) synthesized via a modified inverse micelle method, efficiently catalyzes aerobic oxidative coupling of amines to imines. This material exhibits excellent conversion (> 99%) and selectivity (> 99%) towards imine synthesis under mild, solvent free, green conditions utilizing atmospheric air as the sole oxidant. Catalytic activity is observed for a diverse range of amine substrates. The aerobic oxidation of amines to imines follows a unique mechanistic pathway which involves Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).