Anthracene–rhodium complexes with metal coordination at the central ring – a new class of catalysts for reductive amination

A new class of anthracene complexes with a metal coordinated at the central ring was applied in catalysis for the first time. As a result, a simple and efficient protocol for reductive amination that involves CO as a reducing agent has been developed. The rhodium complex [(cyclooctadiene)Rh(C₁₀H₄Me₂(OMe)₄)]⁺ (1 mol%) catalyses such reactions under mild conditions (40–130 °C) and produces a variety of amines in good yields (74–95%) without affecting the functional groups. The protocol is acceptable for all combinations of aldehydes (aromatic and aliphatic), ketones (aromatic and aliphatic) and amines (aromatic and aliphatic; primary and secondary).