Boron Appended Ru-NHC Catalyzed Selective Deoxygenative Hydrogenation of Tertiary Amides and Desulfurization of Thioamides

Abstract

Herein, we disclosed a selective deoxygenative hydrogenation of tertiary amides and desulfurization of thioamides to amines with phenylsilane as a reductant, using a bifunctional Ru-NHC complex 1 appended with Lewis acid in the metal secondary coordination sphere. The catalytic process was also utilized to synthesize biologically relevant amine drug molecules. The appended Lewis acidic boron arm in the secondary coordination sphere of complex 1 was found to enhance the catalytic activity, affording corresponding products with high yields.