Direct Synthesis of Primary Amines via Ruthenium-Catalysed Amination of Ketones with Ammonia and Hydrogen

A highly selective reductive amination of ketones to primary amines with ammonia and hydrogen using a simple ruthenium catalyst has been developed. The protocol described constitutes an efficient and direct atom-economical approach en route to alpha-methylbenzylamine derivatives in good to high yields. The presence of catalytic amounts of aluminum triflate turned out to be crucial for achieving high conversion towards primary amines.