Efficiently Aerobic Dehydrogenation of N-Heterocycles and Hydrocarbons over MnAl Oxides

Dehydrogenation of saturated N-heterocycles and hydrocarbons provides an important route to corresponding aromatic compounds. Herein, an efficient and selective MnAlO-catalyzed aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation of five- and six-membered N-heterocycles, imines and hydrocarbons is presented. The reaction features excellent yields of the products, mild reaction conditions, readily available and reusable catalyst. Various N-heterocycles and hydrocarbons can be tolerated by the reaction system and transformed to the corresponding aromatic counterparts. Mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction proceeds mainly through an electron transfer mechanism.