Abstract
Oxidative deamination of benzyl amines is achieved using a Ni(II)–NHC catalyst with water in aqueous medium. The product is an aldehyde, wherein water acts as a formal oxidant. Hemilabile pyridyl units embedded in the catalyst allow the approach of amine to the metal and promotes nucleophilic water attack on the metal-bound imine. A water-soluble 3d-metal Ni(II) catalyst bearing promoter ligands opens up a new avenue for water-mediated oxidation reactions.