Reductive Amination of 2,5-Furandicarbaldehyde to N,N’-Disubstituted 2,5-Bis(aminomethyl)furan under Atmospheric Pressure of Hydrogen Gas Catalyzed by a Metal–Ligand Bifunctional Iridium Catalyst

The reductive amination of 2,5-furandicarbaldehyde to N,N'-disubstituted 2,5-bis(aminomethyl)furan under atmospheric pressure of hydrogen gas has been accomplished using [Cp*Ir(2,2′-bpyO)(H2O)] as a catalyst. Functional groups in the ligand are a critical factor for the activity of the catalyst. Furthermore, the mechanistic investigation, the practical application of this system, and the reductive amination of other biobased furfuryl aldehydes were also undertaken.