Thermodynamic Evaluations of Amines as Hydrides or Two Hydrogen Ions Reductants and Imines as Protons or Two Hydrogen Ions Acceptors, as Well as Their Application in Hydrogenation Reactions

Since the hydrogenation of imines (X) and the dehydrogenation of amines (XH2) generally involve the two hydrogen ions (H– + H+) transfer, the thermodynamic abilities of various amines releasing hydrides or two hydrogen ions as well as various imines accepting protons or two hydrogen ions are important and characteristic physical parameters. In this work, the pK a values of 84 protonated imines (XH+) in acetonitrile were predicted. Combining Gibbs free energy changes of amines releasing hydrides in acetonitrile from our previous work with the pK a(XH+) values, the Gibbs free energy changes of amines releasing two hydrogen ions and imines accepting two hydrogen ions were derived using Hess’s law by constructing thermochemical cycles, and the thermodynamic evaluations of amines as hydrides or two hydrogen ions reductants and imines as protons or two hydrogen ions acceptors are well compared and discussed. Eventually, the practical application of thermodynamic data for amines and imines on hydrogenation feasibility, mechanism, and possible elementary steps was shown and discussed in this paper from the point of thermodynamics.