Unprecedented iron-catalyzed selective hydrogenation of activated amides to amines and alcohols

Abstract

The first example of hydrogenation of amides homogeneously catalyzed by an earth-abundant metal complex is reported. The reaction is catalyzed by iron PNP pincer complexes. A wide range of secondary and tertiary N-substituted 2,2,2-trifluoroacetamides were hydrogenated to form amines and trifluoroethanol.