Green and chemo selective amine methylation using methanol by an organometallic ruthenium complex

Abstract Herein a green and convenient catalytic N-methylation of aniline and n-hexylamine using methanol as a dual methylation agent and solvent has been investigated. A new ruthenium carbonyl complex was synthesized and applied as a homogeneous catalyst in methylation reaction. The solid-state structure of the complex was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis which indicate xantphos ligand bonded to ruthenium (II) as a tridentate pincer ligand by two P donor and one O atom. The catalytic system showed excellent conversion and selectivity toward N-methylaniline, and N,N-hexyldimethylamine at 140°C.