The catalytic hydroaminomethylation of long chain alkenes with dimethylamine in aqueous–organic two-phase system Original Research Article

Hydroaminomethylation of long chain alkenes with dimethylamine was investigated. The reaction was catalyzed by a water-soluble rhodium–phosphine complex, RhCl(CO)(TPPTS)2 [TPPTS: P(m-C6H4SO3Na)3], in an aqueous–organic two-phase system in the presence of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The reaction was friendly for the environment since it was free from any organic solvent. The addition of the cationic surfactant CTAB accelerated the reaction, apparently due to the micelle effect. The effects of various reaction parameters (such as reaction temperature, pressure, molar ratio of phosphine ligand to rhodium, catalyst concentration, molar ratio of dimethylamine to alkene and chain length of alkenes) on hydroaminomethylation were studied. High reactivity and selectivity for tertiary amine were achieved under relatively mild conditions (130 °C, 3 MPa).