Chemoselective Reduction of Thioureas to N-Methylamines and N,N-Dimethylamines Using Cu-based Catalyst

Abstract

We report a general copper-catalyzed hydrogenative reduction of thioureas to N-methylamine and N,N-dimethylamine (10 examples, 42-99% carbon utilization rate) using PhSiH3 as the hydrogenation reagent, which realize the highly efficient indirect utilization of carbon in carbon disulfide (CS2). This strategy provides a mild and environmental-friendly platform for CS2 pollutant valorization, holding a potential for sustainable chemical manufacturing.