Hydrogenative coupling of nitriles with diamines to benzimidazoles using lignin-derived Rh2P catalyst.
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ABSTRACT: Nitrile (C≡N bond) activation for direct organic synthesis has been less explored so far due to a high redox potential of nitrile and its low dissociation energy of C-CN bond. Herein, we demonstrate a direct reductive coupling of nitriles and 1,2-phenylenediamines to yield various benzimidazoles in excellent yields (95%-99%) by using rhodium phosphide (Rh2P) catalyst supported on lignin-derived carbon (LC) using H2 (or hydrazine hydrate) as a hydrogen source. The high catalytic performance of Rh2P/LC is attributed to enhanced charge transfer to Rh and strong P-Rh interactions. Our isotope trace experiment confirms the presence of H/D exchange between H2 and the inert -CD3 group of CD3CN via an intramolecular D-shift. Reusability of Rh2P/LC is further demonstrated by a seven-time recycling without evident loss of activity. This research thus highlights a great potential in organic transformation with nitrile as a synthetic building block.
SUBMITTER: Zhang J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8450259 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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