Reductive N-alkylation of primary amides using nickel-nanoparticles

Abstract

Here we report Ni-nanoparticles as reusable catalysts for reductive N-alkylation of amides. These Ni-nanoparticles based catalysts have been prepared by the template synthesis of tartaric acid and 2-methyl imidazole ligated Ni-complex on SiO2 and subsequent pyrolysis under argon. Applying optimal Ni-nanostructured catalyst, N-alkylation of aromatic and heterocyclic primary amides with different aldehydes in presence of molecular hydrogen was performed to access structurally diverse N-alkylated amides in good to excellent yields. In addition, the applicability of this N-alkylation protocol has been demonstrated for the selective functionalization of primary amide group in Levetiracetam drug.