Density Functional Theory Study on the Selective Reductive Amination of Aldehydes and Ketones over Their Reductions to Alcohols Using Sodium Triacetoxyborohydride

Sodium Hypophosphite as a Bulk and Environmentally Friendly Reducing Agent in the Reductive Amination

NaH₂PO₂ was found to promote reductive amination. Being nontoxic, stable, environmentally benign, and available in bulk amounts, this reducing agent showed a powerful potential to compete with classical reductants applied in the target process. An E factor of 1 was achieved for the substrate scope. Different carbonyl compounds reacted with amines under the developed conditions. The reaction demonstrated a great compatibility with a wide range of functional groups. Reaction conditions were scaled up to 200-fold.