Reductive Cleavage of C=N Double Bond Using Transfer Hydrogenation Catalyzed by Ni Nanoparticles (NiNPs)

Hydrogen-transfer reactions are advantageous with respect to other reduction methods because of several reasons:(a) the hydrogen donor is easy to handle (no gas containmentor pressure vessels are necessary), cheap and environmentallyfriendly (e.g., isopropanol), (b) possible hazards are minimised,(c) the mild reaction conditions applied can afford enhanced selectivity, (d) catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation can be applied in the presence of chiral ligands [1]. Recently, Alonso et al. have reported the hydrogen-transfer reduction of carbonyl compounds and olefins by nickel nanoparticles(NiNPs) as a catalyst [2]. They have also demonstrated that NiNPs catalyze the Wittig-type olefination of alcohols [3]. Herein, we wish to present a methodology for the reductive cleavage of C=N double bond in some imine molecules based on the catalytic transfer hydrogenation by NiNPs and 2-propanol as hydrogen donor.