B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductive Amination of Ketones with Ammonia Borane.

The first example of metal-free B(C6F5)3-catalyzed asymmetric reduction amination of ketones with chiral α-methylbenzylamine (α-MBA) using ammonia borane as the reductant is reported. This one-pot method has a broad substrate scope and provides various chiral amines in 81-95% yield with 80-99% de. This protocol was further applied in the total synthesis of cinacalcet.