Patent ID: 7256311
Filing Date: 2007-08-14
Classification: C07B,C07C,C07D

Abstract:
1. A process for the hydrogenation and/or asymmetric hydrogenation of dialkyl, alkylalkenyl or dialkenyl imines of formula II to amines of formula III: wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted cyclic, linear and branched alkyl and alkenyl and wherein R 1 and R 2 may also be linked together, or with R 3 , to form one or more rings; and R 3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted C 1 to C 8 cyclic, linear and branched alkyl and alkenyl, and optionally substituted aryl; said process comprising reacting imines of formula II in the presence of H 2 and a catalytic system comprising a base and a ruthenium complex containing (1) a diamine and (2) a diphosphine ligand or monodentate phosphine ligands.