Efficient Iron‐Catalyzed Reductive N‐Alkylation of Aromatic Amines with Carboxylic Acid and Phenylsilane.

Abstract: The development of efficient catalysts for the alkylation of amines with carboxylic acids is attracting much attention. Herein, we would like to report an earth‐abundant iron‐catalyzed protocol for the N‐alkylation of anilines using carboxylic acid as alkyl source and phenylsilane as reducing agent. With Fe₂(CO)₉ as a catalyst, a broad range of primary and secondary anilines are successfully converted to the corresponding tertiary anilines. Furthermore, this N‐alkylation mainly goes through the amide pathway; while the aldehyde pathway can not be ruled out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]