title: Hydrogenation of unactivated enamines to tertiary amines: rhodium complexes of fluorinated phosphines give marked improvements in catalytic activity.
abstract: In the hydrogenation of sluggish unactivated enamine substrates, Rh complexes of electron-deficient phosphines are demonstrated to be far more reactive catalysts than those derived from triphenylphosphine. These operate at low catalyst loadings (down to 0.01 mol %) and are able to reduce tetrasubstituted enamines. The use of the sustainable and environmentally benign solvent (R)-limonene for the reaction is also reported with the amine isolated by acid extraction.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, EaStCHEM, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, Fife, UK, FAX +44 1334 463808.
authors.forename: Sergey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tin
authors.affiliation: Chirotech Technology Centre, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Unit 410 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0PE, UK.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fanjul
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, EaStCHEM, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, Fife, UK, FAX +44 1334 463808.
authors.forename: Matthew L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Clarke
keywords: alkenes; homogeneous catalysis; hydrogenation; renewable solvents; tertiary amines