Electroreductive amination of carboxylic acids by cobalt catalysis

Catalytic reduction of carboxylic acids to valuable chemicals is highly desirable yet challenging for both biomass conversion and organic synthesis. Here we describe an efficient and sustainable electrocatalytic hydrogenation of carboxylic acids with amines utilizing protons as the hydrogen source. The application of an earth-abundant cobalt complex enables electrochemical generation of a cobalt-hydride intermediate, which serves as the key catalytically active species for this reductive process. Obviating the need for flammable H₂ gas or sensitive hydrides, this general hydrogenative coupling of carboxylic acids with amines and nitroarenes allows producing a wide range of structurally diverse complex alkylamines under mild electrocatalytic conditions. Furthermore, the practicality and versatility of this protocol are demonstrated through its application in valuable isotope labeling using readily available deuterium sources.