Reductive amination of ketones/aldehydes with amines using BH3N(C2H5)3 as a reductant.

Herein, we report the first example of efficient reductive amination of ketones/aldehydes with amines using BH3N(C2H5)3 as a catalyst and a reductant under mild conditions, affording various tertiary and secondary amines in excellent yields. A mechanistic study indicates that BH3N(C2H5)3 plays a dual function role of promoting imine and iminium formation and serving as a reductant in reductive amination.