A new type of ruthenium catalyst has been developed that allows for the easier creation of amides.

Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a pincerlike ruthenium catalyst which makes the creation of amides far simpler, by coupling alcohols and amines.

This new type of catalyst contains a dearomatized pyridine ligand, which is covalently bound to an armlike tertiary amine ligand, Chemical and Engineering News reports.

"It operates in a unique way, involving cooperation between the metal and the ligand," explains David Milstein, one of the scientists involved in the project.

Amides are of fundamental importance in the development of chemical and biochemical systems, meaning the use of the ruthenium catalyst to make it easier to create amides could have important benefits for the chemical sector.

Source:

Easier, Cleaner Route To Amides, 13/08/07
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/85/i33/8533notw1.html

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