Practical One-Pot Synthesis of Secondary Amines by Zinc-Catalyzed Reductive Amination

In the present study, the zinc-catalyzed reductive amination of various aldehydes has been examined in detail. Simple zinc(II) triflate was applied as hydrosilylation catalyst for the reduction of the in situ formed imine by condensation of an aldehyde with an amine. Using a practical Lewis acid catalyst and PMHS [poly(methylhydrosiloxane)] as cheap hydride source excellent yields and a broad functional group tolerance were achieved.