Ruthenium-Catalyzed Selective Mono N-Ethylation of Arylamines and Tandem Reduction/N-Ethylation of Nitroarenes Using Triethylamine and Formic Acid

The mono N -alkylation of arylamines using alkylamines as alkyl group donors has been scarcely investigated. In this work, we report the mono N -alkylation of several arylamines (52–95%) catalyzed by the complex ruthenium-triphos in the presence of Al(OTf) 3 . Moreover, the highly reductant ability of the catalyst system allows the tandem reduction/ N -alkylation of nitrobenzenes in good yields (up to 80%). In addition, the catalyst can be recycled after three reaction cycles without loss of catalyst activity.