Direct synthesis of amides and imines by dehydrogenative homo or cross-coupling of amines and alcohols catalyzed by Cu-MOF.

Oxidative dehydrogenative homo-coupling of amines to imines and cross-coupling of amines with alcohols to amides was achieved with high to moderate yields at room temperature in THF using Cu-MOF as an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst under mild conditions. Different primary benzyl amines and alcohols could be utilized for the synthesis of a wide variety of amides and imines. The Cu-MOF catalyst could be recycled and reused four times without loss of catalytic activity.