Hydrogenation or Dehydrogenation of N-Containing Heterocycles Catalyzed by a Single Manganese Complex

A highly chemoselective base-metal catalyzed hydrogenation and acceptorless dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles is presented. A well-defined Mn complex operates at low catalyst loading (as low as 2 mol %) and under mild reaction conditions. The described catalytic system tolerates various functional groups, and the corresponding reduced heterocycles can be obtained in high yields. Experimental studies indicate a metal-ligand cooperative catalysis mechanism.