A chemoselective and one‐pot method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical secondary amines via coupling reaction of ammonia and aryl(alkyl) halides catalyzed by MNP@IAH@Cu‐IL as a bifunctional nanocatalyst

Abstract

Copper, an abundant metal on Earth, has re‐emerged as a suitable alternative to versatile Palladium‐catalyzed C–N coupling. Herein, a new recoverable and reusable bifunctional catalyst was synthesized by combining an ionic liquid and linking Cu(II) on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. New nanocatalyst (MNP@IAH@Cu‐IL) was completely characterized using different techniques. Continuing, MNP@IAH@Cu‐IL was applied in the synthesis of primary and secondary amines via C(sp2)‐N coupling reaction successfully. This catalyst worked well in the synthesis of anilines derivatives in high yields and excellent quality. Further, we described a novel and one‐pot process for the synthesis of unsymmetrical secondary amine derivatives from two different aryl(alkyl) halides. This procedure shows attractive features such as 100% atom economy, high yields of the desired products under base‐free conditions, excellent functional group tolerance, work‐up simplicity, and recyclability.