Direct reductive amination using triethylsilane and catalytic bismuth(III) chloride

Direct reductive amination (DRA) using triethylsilane (TESH) and catalytic bismuth(III) chloride (BiCl₃) is described for the first time. The use of TESH and BiCl₃ provides easy handling, low cost, non-toxicity, and a mild Lewis acid activity, thereby meeting the demand for green and sustainable chemistry. The developed DRA is highly chemoselective and applicable to less-basic amines. The experimental results of this study revealed that the developed DRA could be catalyzed by BiCl₃, which was gradually reduced to Bi(0) or bismuth with a low valency by TESH, but TESCl, Bi(0), and Bi(0) with TESCl catalyzed the DRA to some extent.