Manganese Complex for Hydrogen Transfer Reactions

The manganese-PNP complex (1) is a powerful catalyst for hydrogen transfer reactions and is utilized in carbon-nitrogen and carbon-carbon bond formation reactions as well as reductions. 1 catalyzes the reduction of aldehydes, ketones and nitriles with hydrogen gas or alcohols to afford the desired alcohols and amines, respectively.¹⁾ 1 can also catalyze the N-alkylation of primary amines with alcohols to convert them into secondary amines.²⁾ Furthermore, 2-arylalcohols are dimerized in the presence of 1 via oxidation of the alcohol, aldol reaction and deformylation.³⁾ In addition to these reactions, the decomposition reaction of aqueous methanol into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide has been reported.⁴⁾ In this way, 1 is anticipated as an excellent hydrogen transfer catalyst, and more new reactions using 1 will be developed in the future.