Lewis acid-catalyzed hydrogenation: B(C6F5)(3)-mediated reduction of imines and nitriles with H-2

The Lewis acid B(C6F5)(3) has been found to be an efficient catalyst for the direct hydrogenation of imines and the reductive ring-opening of aziridines with H-2 under mild conditions; addition of a bulky phosphine allows for the reduction of protected nitriles.