Ruthenium-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of Nitriles: Reduction and Subsequent N-Monoalkylation to Secondary Amines

The selective synthesis of amines continues to be of importance because of their application in the bulk and fine chemical industries. Herein, domino ruthenium‐catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of nitriles with subsequent N‐monoalkylation by using alcohols is described. With this novel approach, various nitriles were reductively N‐monoalkylated in excellent yields. A simple method for the synthesis of secondary amines starting directly from nitriles by using a ruthenium catalyst is described. With this novel domino system, various nitriles were reduced and subsequently N‐monoalkylated in excellent yields (up to 99 %). In addition to isopropanol, other alcohols were also used as a reductant and N‐monoalkylation reagent.