Metal-acid synergistic catalysis accelerates the hydrogen borrowing amination of alcohols by confining Ru sites in Beta zeolite

Direct hydrogen transfer amination of alcohols with amines is an environmentally friendly and atom-economical route for the synthesis of N-alkylamines. Noble metal species are highly catalytic active sites, but the exorbitant price makes the urgency to boost the atom efficiency with stable recyclability. Herein, we demonstrated that encapsulation of Ru nanoparticles (NPs) within BEA zeolite through direct hydrothermal approach greatly promoted the catalytic efficiency in the N-alkylation of aromatic alcohols and amines under additive- and solvent-free conditions, resulting in the high yield (∼93 %), maximum turnover number (TON) of 12,822 and turnover frequency (TOF) of 9012 h⁻¹, with stable recyclability and extendable substrate scope. The kinetic studies and in-situ characterizations revealed that the synergy of confined Ru NPs and adjacent acid sites of BEA zeolite significantly promoted the C–H bond activation in the rate-determining step of alcohol dehydrogenation into aldehydes. Besides, the acid sites also accelerated the condensation of aldehyde intermediates and anilines to promote the kinetic equilibrium, while the moderate strength of the Ru–H bond resulting from the confined Ru NPs is advantageous to balance the dehydrogenation and hydrogenation steps to reach the fascinating H-transfer process.