N-Alkylation of Amines with Alcohols Catalyzed by a Water-Soluble Cp*Iridium Complex: An Efficient Method for the Synthesis of Amines in Aqueous Media

An efficient and environmentally benign catalytic system for the synthesis of various organic amines catalyzed by the water-soluble and air-stable (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-iridium-ammine iodide complex, [Cp*Ir(NH3)(3)][I](2) (Cp* - pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), has been developed. A wide variety of secondary and tertiary amines were synthesized by the N-alkylation reactions of theoretical equivalents of amines with alcohols in water under air without a base. The synthesis of cyclic amines was also achieved by the N-alkylation of benzylamine with diols. Furthermore, the recycle use of the present water-soluble Cp*Ir catalyst was accomplished.