Premium
Selective Monomethylation of Amines with Methanol as the C 1 Source
Author(s) -
Choi Geunho,
Hong Soon Hyeok
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201801524
Subject(s) - methanol , catalysis , amine gas treating , chemistry , primary (astronomy) , combinatorial chemistry , organic chemistry , selectivity , raw material , molecule , hydrogen , physics , astronomy
The N‐monomethyl functionality is a common motif in a variety of synthetic and natural compounds. However, facile access to such compounds remains a fundamental challenge in organic synthesis owing to selectivity issues caused by overmethylation. To address this issue, we have developed a method for the selective, catalytic monomethylation of various structurally and functionally diverse amines, including typically problematic primary aliphatic amines, using methanol as the methylating agent, which is a sustainable chemical feedstock. Kinetic control of the aliphatic amine monomethylation was achieved by using a readily available ruthenium catalyst at an adequate temperature under hydrogen pressure. Various substrates including bio‐related molecules and pharmaceuticals were selectively monomethylated, demonstrating the general utility of the developed method.