Efficient and chemoselective direct reductive amination of aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by oxo–rhenium complexes containing heterocyclic ligands

This work describes the catalytic activity of 17 oxo–rhenium complexes containing heterocyclic ligands in the direct reductive amination of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde with 4-chloroaniline, using phenylsilane as reducing agent. In general, all of the catalysts tested gave excellent yields of the secondary amine, although, the best result was obtained with the catalytic system PhSiH3/ReOBr2(Hhmpbta)(PPh3) (2.5 mol %). This system was also applied to the synthesis of a large variety of secondary amines in good to excellent yields and tertiary amines in moderate yields, with tolerance of different functional groups.