Heterogeneous Bimetallic Pt-Sn/γ-Al2O3 Catalyzed N-Alkylation of Amines: Ef-ficient Synthesis of Secondary and Tertiary Amines

N-Alkylation of amines with alcohols through a borrowing hydrogen strategy is a green route to amines. Heterogeneous bimetallic Pt-Sn/gamma-Al2O3 catalyzed the reactions of primary (secondary) amines with alcohols in the absence of external hydrogen source, efficiently affording secondary (tertiary) amines with water and a small amount of imines as the by-products. Various functional groups in the substrates were tolerated in the catalytic system. The Pt-Sn/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst was easily recycled, suggesting its potential application in the production of secondary and tertiary amines.