Iridium-Catalyzed Monoamination of Polyols toward Amino Alcohols or Amino Acids

The direct and selective hydrogen-borrowing transformation of polyols to the corresponding amino alcohols remains a significant challenge. Herein, we demonstrate the selective synthesis of amino alcohols and amino acids from readily available polyols using a tris-NHC-Ir catalyst bearing three N-heterocyclic carbene ligands. Diverse aryl and alkyl amines, as well as vicinal glycols and other biopolyols, are well compatible with good functional group tolerance, achieving up to 93% yields of amino alcohols. Moreover, various amino acids are obtained via subsequent dehydrogenation by using the same catalyst. Mechanistic studies reveal that the low ionization potential of the Ir center within tris-NHC-Ir(III) species is crucial for this selective hydrogen-borrowing process. Our protocol provides an efficient and selective approach for accessing valuable amino alcohols and amino acids from inexpensive biomass-derived alcohols.