Acceptorless, Reversible Dehydrogenation and Hydrogenation
of <i>N</i>‑Heterocycles with a Cobalt Pincer Catalyst
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Abstract
Acceptorless,
reversible dehydrogenation and hydrogenation reactions
involving <i>N</i>-heterocycles are reported with a well-defined
cobalt complex supported by an aminobis(phosphine) [PN(H)P] pincer
ligand. Several <i>N</i>-heterocycle substrates have been
evaluated under dehydrogenation and hydrogenation conditions. The
cobalt-catalyzed amine dehydrogenation step, a key step in the dehydrogenation
process, has been independently verified. Control studies with related
cycloalkanes suggest that a direct acceptorless alkane dehydrogenation
pathway is unlikely. The metal–ligand cooperativity is probed
with the related [PN(Me)P] derivative of the cobalt catalyst. These
results suggest a bifunctional dehydrogenation pathway and a nonbifunctional
hydrogenation mechanism