Plasma-Microdroplet Imine Synthesis

Catalyst-free one-step

Sheath electric field at nonaqueous microdroplet interfaces directly activates N₂ and C─H bonds, enabling one-step C═N/C─N bond formation without traditional amine feedstocks or harsh conditions.

Wang, Haodong · Yifei, Wang · Fu, Dali · Liu, Jikun · Yixuan, Jiao · Wang, Siwen · Shen, Baojian · Zhang, Xiangping · Xu, Chunming · Han, Yehua

ChemSusChem 2026

Specifications

Primary ketimine selectivity

{'zh': '99', 'en': '99'} %

Advantages

No amine feedstocks

Imines are synthesized directly from N₂ and hydrocarbons, eliminating the need for nitrogen-containing organic precursors.

Catalyst-free

The reaction is driven by the interfacial electric field, requiring no additional catalyst, which simplifies the process.

Mild conditions

The reaction proceeds under ambient conditions, avoiding high temperature, high pressure, or strong acid/base conditions typical of conventional methods.

High selectivity

Primary ketimine selectivity exceeds 99% in pure N₂ and is 80% in air, with few byproducts.

Applications

• Imine synthesis：Replace amine-feedstock routes for direct imine synthesis from N₂ and hydrocarbons
• Nitrogen fixation：Convert N₂ into organic nitrogen compounds under mild conditions
• C–H activation：Selectively activate C–H bonds of alkanes and alkylbenzenes to form C–N bonds
• Sustainable chemistry：Atom-efficient route that reduces waste and harsh conditions