Synthesis of Symmetrical Secondary Amines From Aqueous Ammonia and Primary Alcohols Catalyzed by an Iridium Complex

A new catalytic system for N,N ‐dialkylation of aqueous ammonia with various primary alcohols to afford symmetrical secondary amines selectively has been developed. An iridium catalyst bearing an N ‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand exhibits high performance for this reaction. This catalytic system is based on the borrowing hydrogen strategy. The reaction proceeds without additional organic solvent and generates only water as the stoichiometric byproduct.