A mild, convenient, and inexpensive method for converting imines into amines: Tin-catalyzed reduction with polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(97)01020-X

We have developed a mild, convenient, and inexpensive protocol for reducing imines to amines. Thus, treatment of any of a wide array of imines with catalytic n-butyltris(2-ethylhexanoate)tin and stoichioimetric polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) in ethanol at room temperature cleanly affords the desired secondary amine product. Alkyl bromides, alkynes, epoxides, esters, nitriles, and olefins are inert toward these reduction conditions, whereas aldehydes, ketones, and nitro compounds are not.