In-water dehydrative alkylation of ammonia and amines with alcohols by a polymeric bimetallic catalyst.

An in-water dehydrative alkylation with a novel heterobimetallic polymeric catalyst is described. Thus, a boron-iridium heterobimetallic polymeric catalyst was prepared by ionic convolution of a poly(catechol borate) and an iridium complex. The alkylation of ammonia and amines with alcohols, alkylating agents, was performed with 1 mol % Ir of the heterogeneous catalyst in water without the use of organic solvents under aerobic conditions to give the corresponding alkylated amines.