Temperature-dependent switchable synthesis of imines and amines via coupling of alcohols and amines using pyrrolyl-imine ruthenium catalysts

[Display omitted] •Homogeneous Ru complexes for acceptorless dehydrogenation (AD) and borrowing hydrogen (BH) processes.•Chemodivergent formation of imines and amines controlled by reaction temperature.•Low catalyst loading, operational simplicity, atom-economic and green C–N bond formation. A series of pyrrolyl-imine supported Ru(II) complexes 2a-2d were prepared and used as efficient catalysts for chemodivergent coupling of alcohols and amines to give imines 5 and amines 6 in 48–99 % yields. Notably, the selectivity in this reaction is simply governed by the reaction temperature. The current catalytic system was carried out in an open atmosphere in air with low catalyst loading (0.1 mol%) and displayed good functional-group compatibility.