Organocatalytic Reductive Amination of Aldehydes with 2-Propanol: Efficient Access to N-Alkylated Amines.

Herein, we report on the development of a one-pot organocatalytic approach for the synthesis of N-alkylated secondary and tertiary amines. The reaction proceeds via the reduction of in situ generated imines, where the solvent acts as a hydride surrogate in the presence of TMSOTf, thereby facilitating the alkylation process. Mechanistic insights derived from control experiments and deuterium labeling studies reveal a solvent-mediated hydride transfer pathway. This methodology offers a streamlined approach to amine alkylation, eliminating the need for metal catalysts and providing a potentially more sustainable alternative to traditional protocols.