Tandem Fe/Zn or Fe/In catalysis for the selective synthesis of primary and secondary amines via selective reduction of primary amides

International audienceTandem iron/zinc or iron/indium-catalysed reductions of various primary amides to amines under hydrosilylation conditions are reported under visible light activation. By a simple modification of the nature of the co-catalyst (Zn(OTf)2 vs In(OTf)3), Fe(CO)4(IMes) can promote the high chemoselective reduction of primary amides into primary amines (21 examples, up to 93% isolated yields) and secondary amines (8 examples, up to 51% isolated yields), respectively. Notably, both benzamide and alkanamide derivatives can be reduced