Tailored Cobalt‐Catalysts for Reductive Alkylation of Anilines with Carboxylic Acids under Mild Conditions.

Abstract: The first cobalt‐catalyzed hydrogenative N‐methylation and alkylation of amines with readily available carboxylic acid feedstocks as alkylating agents and H₂ as ideal reductant is described. Combination of tailor‐made triphos ligands with cobalt(II) tetrafluoroborate significantly improved the efficiency, thus promoting the reaction under milder conditions. This novel protocol allows for a broad substrate scope with good functional group tolerance, even in the presence of reducible alkenes, esters, and amides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]