Efficient metal-free hydrosilylation of tertiary, secondary and primary amides to amines

Abstract

Hydrosilylation of secondary and tertiary amides to amines is described using catalytic amounts of B(C₆F₅)₃. The organic catalyst enables the reduction of amides with cost-efficient, non-toxic and air stable PMHS and TMDS hydrosilanes. The methodology was successfully extended to the more challenging reduction of primary amides.