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

Abstract

The ruthenium complex [(η 6 ‐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.