Highly selective synthesis of primary amines over heterogeneous catalysts is still a challenge for the chemical industry. Ruthenium nanoparticles supported on NbO act as a highly selective and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the low-temperature reductive amination of various carbonyl compounds that contain reduction-sensitive functional groups such as heterocycles and halogens with NH and H and prevent the formation of secondary amines and undesired hydrogenated byproducts. The selective catalysis of these materials is likely attributable to the weak electron-donating capability of Ru particles on the NbO surface. The combination of this catalyst and homogeneous Ru systems was used to synthesize 2,5-bis(aminomethyl)furan, a monomer for aramid production, from 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural without a complex mixture of imine byproducts.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.