Conversion of aldimines to secondary amines using iron- catalysed hydrosilylation

Iron-catalyzed hydrosilylation of imines to amines using a well-defined iron complex is reported. This method employs relatively mild conditions, by reaction of imine, (EtO)(3)SiH in a 1:2 ratio in the presence of 1 mol% precatalyst ([BIAN]Fe((6)-toluene), 3, BIAN = bis(2,6-diisopropylaniline)acenaphthene) at 70 degrees C. A broad scope of imines was readily converted into the corresponding secondary amines without the need for precatalyst activators.