Production of Primary Amines by Reductive Amination of Biomass‐Derived Aldehydes/Ketones. Issue 11 (3rd February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liang, Guanfeng; Wang, Aiqin; Li, Lin; Xu, Gang; Yan, Ning; Zhang, Tao
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 56:Issue 11(2017)
• Page Start: 3050
• Page End: 3054
• Publication Date: 2017-02-03
• Subjects: biomass -- ethanolamine -- heterogeneous catalysis -- reductive amination -- ruthenium catalyst; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201610964
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Transformation of biomass into valuable nitrogen‐containing compounds is highly desired, yet limited success has been achieved. Here we report an efficient catalyst system, partially reduced Ru/ZrO2, which could catalyze the reductive amination of a variety of biomass‐derived aldehydes/ketones in aqueous ammonia. With this approach, a spectrum of renewable primary amines was produced in good to excellent yields. Moreover, we have demonstrated a two‐step approach for production of ethanolamine, a large‐market nitrogen‐containing chemical, from lignocellulose in an overall yield of 10 %. Extensive characterizations showed that Ru/ZrO2 ‐containing multivalence Ru association species worked as a bifunctional catalyst, with RuO2 as acidic promoter to facilitate the activation of carbonyl groups and Ru as active sites for the subsequent imine hydrogenation. Abstract : Amines from biomass : Ru/ZrO2 works as a highly efficient, bifunctional catalyst for the reductive amination of a variety of biomass‐based aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes/ketones in aqueous ammonia for the production of primary amines under mild reaction conditions. A broad spectrum of renewable primary amines is produced in good to excellent yields.