Lewis Acid-Catalyzed Reductive Amination of Aldehydes and Ketones with N ,N -Dimethylformamide as Dimethylamino Source, Reductant and Solvent

A practical zinc acetate dihydrate catalyzed reductive amination of various carbonyl compounds with DMF as Me2N source, reductant and solvent is developed. This reaction shows broad substrate scope, good functionality tolerance, avoids pressure-proof reactor and column chromatograph isolation with up to 98 % yield, to make it an attractive method for the preparation of N,N-dimethyl tertiary amines.