Selective Hydrogenation of Nitriles to Secondary Imines Catalyzed by an Iron Pincer Complex

Selective hydrogenation of nitriles to secondary imines catalyzed by an iron complex, the pincer complex (iPr-PNP)Fe(H)Br(CO), in the presence of catalytic base, is reported. A wide range of (hetero)aromatic and aliphatic nitriles are hydrogenated to the corresponding secondary imines under mild conditions.