Hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles under Cp*Co(III)-catalysis

To realize the goal of a carbon-free energy economy, it is crucial to discover reactions that utilize sustainable resources as alternatives to fossil feedstocks. In this study, a well-defined, air-stable Cp*Co(III)-catalyst for transfer hydrogenation of quinoline derivatives and oxidative dehydrogenation of cyclic amines in water is developed. While the former reaction is promoted by formic acid as a transfer hydrogenation reagent, the latter is mediated by molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant. These processes provide new avenues for the investigation of air-stable cobalt catalysts for environmentally benign hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions.

Automated summary

To achieve the goal of a carbon-free energy economy, a well-defined air-stable Cp*Co(III) catalyst has been developed for the transfer hydrogenation of quinoline derivatives and the oxidative dehydrogenation of cyclic amines in water. These findings provide new avenues for studying environmentally benign cobalt catalysts for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions.