Metal‐Free Reductive Amination of Ketones with Amines Using Formic Acid as the Reductant under BF3 ⋅ Et2O Catalysis

Abstract BF 3 ⋅ Et 2 O has been found to effectively catalyze reductive amination of ketones with amines employing formic acid as the reductant under metal‐free conditions. This transformation tolerates a broad range of primary and secondary amines and differently decorated ketones, delivering N ‐alkylated amines in good to excellent yields with high compatibility of functional groups. The synthetic potential of this protocol is demonstrated by its application in the preparation of biologically and pharmaceutically relevant compounds.