Ru(Cl)‐Salen Complex: Solvent Selective Homogeneous Catalyst for One‐Pot Synthesis of Nitriles and Amides

Abstract

AbstractAn efficient protocol for direct transformation of aldehydes into of nitrile and amide derivatives using Ru(Cl)‐salen complex as a solvent selective homogeneous catalyst is developed. The catalyst has also been explored for hydration of nitrile to synthesize the primary amides in an aqueous medium. Additionally, a mechanistic pathway for the dehydration of aldoxime to nitrile and hydration of nitrile to amide was studied using gas chromatography. The catalyst has been fully characterized by using spectroscopic techniques such as IR spectroscopy, MALDI‐TOF mass analysis and 1H NMR technique. A simple work up procedure, lower catalyst to substrate ratio, and good to excellent yields of the products, higher turnover number and turnover frequency makes the protocol more advantageous and feasible.