Iron-Catalyzed Mild and Selective Hydrogenative Cross-Coupling of Nitriles and Amines To Form Secondary Aldimines.

The first example of a base-metal-catalyzed homogeneous hydrogenative coupling of nitriles and amines to selectively form secondary cross-imines is reported. The reaction is catalyzed under mild conditions by a well-defined (iPr-PNP)Fe(H)Br(CO) pincer pre-catalyst and catalytic tBuOK.