Green and chemo selective amine methylation using methanol by an organometallic ruthenium complex

Herein a green and convenient catalytic N-methylation of aniline and n-hexylamine using methanol as a dual methylation agent and solvent has been investigated. A new ruthenium carbonyl complex was synthesized and applied as a homogeneous catalyst in methylation reaction. The solid-state structure of the complex was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis which indicate xantphos ligand bonded to ruthenium (II) as a tridentate pincer ligand by two P donor and one O atom. The catalytic system showed excellent conversion and selectivity toward N-methylaniline, and N,N-hexyldimethylamine at 140 degrees C. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A green and convenient catalytic N-methylation of aniline and n-hexylamine using methanol as a dual methylation agent and solvent was investigated, with a new ruthenium carbonyl complex as the homogeneous catalyst. The complex's solid-state structure was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis, showing excellent conversion and selectivity towards N-methylaniline and N,N-hexyldimethylamine at 140 degrees C.