Cationic Aluminium Complexes as Catalysts for Imine Hydrogenation

Abstract

Strongly Lewis acidic cationic aluminium complexes, stabilized by β–diketiminate (BDI) ligands and free of Lewis bases, have been prepared as their B(C6F5)4− salts and were investigated for catalytic activity in imine hydrogenation. The backbone (R1) and N (R2) substituents on the R1,R2BDI ligand (R1,R2BDI=HC[C(R1)N(R2)]2) influence sterics and Lewis acidity. Ligand bulk increases along the row Me,DIPPBDI