Zirconium-hydride-catalyzed site-selective hydroboration of amides for the synthesis of amines: Mechanism, scope, and application

Developing mild and efficient catalytic methods for the selective synthesis of amines is a longstanding research objective. In this respect, catalytic deoxygenative amide reduction has proven to be promising but challenging, as this approach necessitates selective C–O bond cleavage. Herein, we report the selective hydroboration of primary, secondary, and tertiary amides at room temperature catalyzed by an earth-abundant-metal catalyst, Zr-H, for accessing diverse amines. Various readily reducible functional groups, such as esters, alkynes, and alkenes, were well tolerated. Furthermore, the methodology was extended to the synthesis of bio- and drug-derived amines. Detailed mechanistic studies revealed a reaction pathway entailing aldehyde and amido complex formation via an unusual C–N bond cleavage-reformation process, followed by C–O bond cleavage.