N-Methylation of Amines with Methanol Catalyzed by a Cp*Ir Complex Bearing a Functional 2,2'-Bibenzimidazole Ligand.

A new type of Cp*Ir complex bearing a functional 2,2'-bibenzimidazole ligand was designed, synthesized, and found to be a highly effective and general catalyst for the N-methylation of a variety of amines with methanol in the presence of a weak base (0.3 equiv of Cs2CO3).