An expedient and novel strategy for reductive amination by employing H₂O as both a hydrogen source and solvent via B₂(OH)₄/H₂O systems

An efficient, convenient and mild Ru-catalyzed reductive amination reaction was developed by employing H₂O as both hydrogen source and solvent via B₂(OH)₄/H₂O systems. The reaction proceeded smoothly under air at ambient temperature and exhibited excellent chemoselectivities toward unsaturated and heteroaromatic as well as aliphatic aldehydes. Interestingly, α-deuterated amines were also obtained expediently by employing D₂O in our catalytic systems.