Selective one-pot synthesis of symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted amines via rhodium catalysed multiple alkylations of ammonia or primary amines under hydroformylation conditions

Symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted secondary and tertiary amines are selectively prepared in high yields by a one-pot multiple alkylation procedure from ammonia or primary amines with styrenes and/or cyclic olefins, carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of [Rh(cod)Cl](2) as catalyst. Similarly unsymmetrically substituted tertiary amines are obtained under hydroformylation conditions from primary amines by a one-pot reductive bisalkylation procedure using preformed aldehydes or ketones in one step and the hydroformylation products in the second step of a combined amine condensation-reduction-hydroaminomethylation reaction sequence. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.