Metal-Free Transfer Hydrogenation Catalysis by B(C6F5)3

The activation of amines by B(C6F5)3 is shown to effect the catalytic racemization of a chiral amine. Extending this strategy to a bimolecular process, catalytic transfer hydrogenation of imines, enamines, and N-heterocycles is demonstrated using iPr2NH as the source of hydrogen and a catalytic amount of the Lewis acid B(C6F5)3.