Copper-catalyzed reductive coupling of tosylhydrazones with amines: A convenient route to alpha-branched amines

A general procedure for the reductive coupling of N-tosylhydrazones with amines in the presence of Cu(acac)(2) and Cs2CO3 has been developed. The protocol is very effective and chemoselective with various primary and secondary aliphatic amines, aminoalcohols as well as azole derivatives to give alpha-branched amines in good yields.