Umpolung Addition of Aldehydes to Aryl Imines

One of the classical ways to synthesize amines involves the coupling of carbonyl compounds and imines, either through enolate chemistry or acyl-based carbanion equivalents. We herein report an alternative strategy that is based on the use of aldehydes as alkyl carbanion equivalents in a reductive coupling with aryl imines. A wide array of secondary amines can be synthesized in moderate to high yields. This reaction is mediated by hydrazine and catalyzed by ruthenium(II) complexes, and it tolerates various functional groups, such as esters, amides, and nitriles.