Selective catalytic sp3 C-O bond cleavage with C-N bond formation in 3-alkoxy-1-propanols.

The ruthenium catalyzed selective sp(3) C-O cleavage with amide formation was reported in reactions of 3-alkoxy-1-propanol derivatives and amines. The cleavage only occurs at the C3-O position even with 3-benzyloxy-1-propanol. Based on the experimental results, O-bound and C-bound Ru enolate complexes were proposed as key intermediates for the unique selective sp(3) C-O bond cleavage in 3-alkoxy-1-propanols.