Selective Reductive Amination of Carbonyls to Primary Amines Under Ambient Conditions Over Rh/MFM‐300(Cr)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The synthesis of organic amines via reductive amination of biomass‐derived carbonyl compounds is an important target for sustainable chemical industries. The control of selectivity for the formation of primary amines versus secondary amines is challenging, and high temperature and pressures using H 2 are required to generate the desired selectivity. Herein, we report the highly selective reductive amination of a broad range of aldehydes and ketones by NH 3 and H 2 over Rh/MFM‐300(Cr) to form primary amines with a selectivity of up to 99% under ambient conditions. Inelastic neutron scattering reveals that the Rh species not only promote the hydrogenation process, but also catalyzes the ammonolysis of the Schiff base intermediate, facilitating the selective synthesis of primary amines. This protocol achieves selective reductive amination at 25 °C and 1 atm, providing an energy‐efficient route to a broad spectrum of amines.

Source: Angewandte Chemie International Edition

DOI: 10.1002/anie.202519641

Authors: Qingqing Mei, Wenyuan Huang, Longfei Lin, Xue Han, Shaojun Xu, Bing An, Svemir Rudić, Rongsheng Cai, Sarah J Haigh, Buxing Han, Martin Schröder, Sihai Yang

Institutions: University of Manchester, Zhejiang University, Peking University, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Language: English

Topic: Asymmetric Hydrogenation and Catalysis

Subfield: Inorganic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,510

Funders: Diamond Light Source, Henry Royce Institute, European Commission, China Scholarship Council, Peking University, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, H2020 European Research Council

OpenAlex ID: W4416454256