A bifunctional strategy for N-heterocyclic carbene-stabilized iridium complex-catalyzed N -alkylation of amines with alcohols in aqueous media

Through the strategy of combining bifunctional 2-hydroxypyridine and a thermally stable N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, an Ir-catalyzed N -monoalkylation reaction has been developed in aqueous media under base-free conditions. This reaction proceeds smoothly with high yields of various aromatic amines and sulfonamides with a wide range of primary alcohols. Experimental and computational studies revealed a metal–ligand cooperative mechanism and its thermal stability during the bifunctional catalysis in aqueous media.