A Rapid and Additive-Free Ruthenium-Catalyzed Reductive Amination of Aromatic Aldehydes

The ruthenium complex [(η6‐cymene)Ru(Cl)(dpmpy)]+ {dpmpy = 2‐[2‐(dimethylamino)pyrimidin‐4‐yl]pyridine} is highly reactive in catalyzing the reductive amination of aromatic aldehydes through in situ generated imines with 2‐propanol as the hydrogen source following a transfer‐hydrogenation mechanism. This transformation does not require any activating additives and is applicable to a broad variety of aldehydes. A 2‐[2‐(dimethylamino)pyrimidin‐4‐yl]pyridine‐coordinated ruthenium complex catalyzes the reductive amination of aromatic aldehydes in the absence of any activating additives with high reaction rates, allowing the conversion of a broad scope of substrates.