Highly selective N-Alkylation of amines promoted on silica: An efficient and recyclable surface

N-Alkylation of amines suffers from competing over alkylations. At the same time, use of strong base and other harsh conditions greatly limits providing a practical, generalized and selective procedure. Activated silica gel has been found to promote N-alkylations of amines. Here, we studied N-alkylation of amines with various types of alkyl halides, which finally constitute practical, highly selective and eco-friendly conditions for mono- or bis-alkylated amines at ambient temperature with recyclability of silica.