Polymeric 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine-RuCl3 complex as a catalyst for aerobic oxidative self-condensation of amines to imines

A polymer ruthenium complex pbbp-RuCl3 has been easily synthesized from the direct coordination of RuCl3 with polymer constituted by tridentate 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine unit (pbbp). As a heterogeneous catalyst, pbbp-RuCl3 showed high efficiency in aerobic oxidative self-condensation of primary amines to imines. This heterogeneous catalyst can be easily recovered and exhibits good reusability in the reaction.