Efficient methylation of anilines with methanol catalysed by cyclometalated ruthenium complexes†
Abstract
Cyclometalated ruthenium complexes 4–10 allow the effective methylation of anilines with methanol to selectively give N-methylanilines. This hydrogen autotransfer procedure proceeds under mild conditions (60 °C) in a practical manner (NaOH as base). Mechanistic investigations suggest an active homogenous ruthenium complex and β-hydride elimination of methanol as the rate determining step.