Esters, Including Triglycerides, and Hydrogen as Feedstocks for the Ruthenium-Catalyzed Direct N-Alkylation of Amines.

Triglycerides are used for the direct N-alkylation of amines with molecular hydrogen for the first time. A broad range of interesting and industrially relevant secondary and tertiary amines are obtained in the presence of an in situ formed Ru/Triphos complex. Notably, plant oil can be efficiently applied in this single-step process. Moreover, a variety of other methyl esters can be used as N-alkylation agents in the presence of hydrogen for the synthesis of more advanced building blocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]