Silver nanoparticles supported on alumina-a highly efficient and selective nanocatalyst for imine reduction

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles supported on alumina were prepared and tested in the catalytic reduction of various imines to primary and secondary amines and were shown to be exceptionally active and chemoselective. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of the prepared nanocatalyst was also tested in the synthesis of secondary amines from primary amines in a tandem reaction protocol (oxidation-imination-reduction) using air and molecular hydrogen as oxidizing and reducing agents, respectively. The reported synthesis is performed under mild reaction conditions, which complies with the demands of modern organic synthesis. Due to the mild reaction conditions and high conversion as well as high selectivity, we consider that the utilization of silver nanoparticles supported on alumina represents an attractive and environmentally friendly alternative to the current synthesis of N-alkyl amines. © 2014 The Royal Society of Chemistry.