First example of continuous-flow reaction conditions for biomimetic reductive amination of fluorine-containing carbonyl compounds

This study presents the first example of continuous-flow reaction conditions for biomimetic reductive amination of fluorinated carbonyl compounds using silica-adsorbed DBU as catalyst for on-column process. This new on-column process features operationally convenient conditions, higher chemical yields and purity of products as compared with traditional in-flask reactions. Furthermore the removal of base-catalyst is not an issue in this process at all, as the catalyst (DBU) remains on the column in the “reaction zone”, the feature which makes the overall process substantially more efficient and inexpensive, in particular, for large-scale synthesis of the target α-perfluoroalkyl amines.