Unveiling\nthe Potential of SNS-Ni Complex for Establishing\nC–N Bonds: An Approach toward Chemoselectivity

Recent research has focused a lot on using the borrowing\nhydrogen\n(BH) approach to react amines with alcohols to convert a C–O\nbond into a C–N bond. However, the notion of chemoselectivity\nin BH-mediated N-alkylation of amines has rarely been studied. Herein,\nwe have demonstrated the application of a synthesized SNS-Ni complex\nconstructing various C–N bonds via the coupling of diverse\namines with various alcohols. Delightfully, the catalytic protocol\nalso activates challenging C4–C16 aliphatic alcohols. Aryl\namino alcohols are selectively N-alkylated with different alcohols,\nwhile keeping the OH group intact in the amino alcohol portion. Furthermore,\nwithout reducing the distal unsaturation, the catalytic technique\nwas also successfully employed for the chemoselective N-alkylation\nof different fatty alcohols. The preliminary mechanistic investigation\nsuggests alkylation occurs via a nonradical borrowing hydrogen pathway.