Reductive Amination\nof Aldehyde and Ketone with Ammonia\nand H<sub>2</sub> by an <i>In Situ</i>-Generated Cobalt\nCatalyst under Mild Conditions

Herein, we present the simplest approach\nfor the synthesis\nof primary\namines via reductive amination using H<sub>2</sub> as a reductant\nand aqueous ammonia as a nitrogen source, catalyzed by amorphous Co\nparticles. The highly active Co particles were prepared <i>in\nsitu</i> by simply mixing commercially available CoCl<sub>2</sub> and NaBH<sub>4</sub>/NaHBEt<sub>3</sub> without any ligand or support.\nThis reaction system features mild conditions (80 °C, 1–10\nbar), high selectivity (99%), a wide substrate scope, simple operation,\nand easy separation of the catalyst. The successful large-scale application\nof this reaction in the production of primary amines suggests its\npotential industrial interest.