A convenient synthesis of hindered amines and α-trifluoromethylamines from ketones

Ketones and α-trifluoromethylketones were converted to primary, secondary, and tertiary amines in good to excellent yields by a reductive amination procedure utilizing TiCl4/NaCNBH3. The method provides the first direct route to α-trifluoromethylamines from ketones, and access to hindered amines from ketones which are unobtainable by Borch reducttve amination.