Unlocking an additive-free and catalyst-free dual approach for reduction of amides to amines

We report a two-fold strategy to convert amides to amines in the presence of dimethylamine-borane as the hydrogen source. In the absence of any additive, the formation of the amines resulted from reduction of the amides. On the other hand, in the presence of TMEDA and dimethylamine-borane, tertiary amines were obtained from primary amides in a one-pot fashion.