Catalytic Aminomethylation of Alkenoic Compounds: I. Reaction of monoolefins with secondary amines, carbon monoxide, and water in the presence of rhodium and iron catalysts

Reactions, in the presence of rhodium oxide and/or iron pentacarbonyl, of cyclic or acyclic higher olefins with carbon monoxide, water, and secondary amines to give the corresponding aminomethyl‐cycloalkanes or ‐alkanes (equ. 1) are described. As catalyst rhodium oxide is by far superior to iron carbonyl; however, optimum results are obtained with combinations of the two. The method can be applied to synthesis of long‐chain alkylamines, which are valuable as intermediates for synthetic detergents.