The direct reductive amination of electron-deficient amines with aldehydes: the unique reactivity of the Re2O7 catalystElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c2cc33185c

An unprecedented direct reductive amination of electron-deficient amines such as Cbz-, Boc-, EtOCO-, Fmoc-, Bz-, ArSO 2 -, Ar 2 PO-, etc. protected amines with aldehydes is achieved using the Re 2 O 7 catalyst and silanes as the hydride source. Excellent regioselective mono-alkylation and chemoselective reductive-amination were observed. An unprecedented direct reductive amination of electron-deficient amines such as Cbz-, Boc-, EtOCO-, Fmoc-, Bz-, ArSO 2 -, Ar 2 PO-, etc. protected amines with aldehydes is achieved using the Re 2 O 7 catalyst and silanes as the hydride source. Excellent regioselective mono-alkylation and chemoselective reductive-amination over reduction were observed.