Lewis acid-catalyzed hydrogenation: B(C6F5)3-mediated reduction of imines and nitriles with H2

The Lewis acid B(C(6)F(5))(3) has been found to be an efficient catalyst for the direct hydrogenation of imines and the reductive ring-opening of aziridines with H(2) under mild conditions; addition of a bulky phosphine allows for the reduction of protected nitriles.