Hydrogen-Free Cobalt–Rhodium Heterobimetallic Nanoparticle-Catalyzed Reductive Amination of Aldehydes and Ketones with Amines and Nitroarenes in the Presence of Carbon Monoxide and Water

Abstract

Cobalt–rhodium heterobimetallic nanoparticle-catalyzed reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones with amines in the presence of 5 atm carbon monoxide without an external hydrogen source has been developed. Water added and generated in situ produces hydrogen via a water–gas-shift reaction. The reaction can be extended to the tandem reduction of aldehydes and ketones with nitroarenes. The catalytic system is stable under the reaction conditions and could be reused eight times without losing any catalytic activity.