A Solvent-Free Process for Synthesis of Imines by Iron-Catalyzed Oxidative Self- or Cross-Condensation of Primary Amines Using Molecular Oxygen as Sole Oxidant

The synthesis of imines by oxidative self- or cross-condensation of primary amines has been achieved using iron(II) bromide as the catalyst. The protocol is ligand-free, additive-free, solvent-free, and high-yielding and utilizes renewable oxygen as sole oxidant. The reaction tolerated a wide range of functionalities.